SINN FEIN’S VIEW.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1921, Page 5

SINN FEIN’S VIEW.

DEBATE ON THE TREATY. DIVISION OF OPINION, ANSWER NEXT WEEK. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—vopy right. London, Dec. 19. Mr. Chamberlain announced that, as the Government does not expect the decision of the Dail Eireann before Christmas Eve it has been decided to prorogue Parliament to-day till January 31. The public session of the Dail Eireann has been resumed. Mr. de Valera's alternative proposals, on which he failed to secure the unanimous approval of the secret session, were laid before the Assembly. Mr. Collins demanded that all the documents should be published. Even if he were in a minority of one he would *efuse to regard the document as confidential and would tell the Irish people what it contained. Mr. De Valera said he would propound his own policy, which differed from the alternative discussed at the secret session. The Speaker ruled the discussion out of order. SUPPORT FOR TREATY. Mr. Griffiths, mover of the ratification of the treaty, explaining the circumstances under which he went to the conference, said the task was as hard a one as could be placed on the shoulders of men. Not a life of one young Irishman should be lost for the alternative policy. This was the first treaty signed by the Irish Government with the English Government for centuries. It was the first treaty that admitted the equality of Ireland, and for that cause he would stand by it. Every man with a scrap of henor who signed the document was going to stand by it. Every effort was being made outside to represent that certain men stood uncompromisingly for Ireland's full demands, while others, like Mr. Collins, compromised on Ireland’s right. The difference between them was a quibble about the recognition of the the King. It was for this they were asked to throw away the treaty and go back to war.

The alternative proposal meant that Ireland would be half in and half out of the British Empire, whereas under the treaty they would go in with their heads up. If they rejected the treaty and went to war again Ireland would be fighting against the sympathy of the world. Commandant McKeon, the blacksmith of Ballinalea, seconded the motion. DE VALERA’S SPEECH. Mr. De Valera, in asking Dail Eireann not to approve of the treaty, asked: “Did the Irish people think they were liars when they ratified by their votes the creation of the Irish Republic?” He made his request, not because he was a man of war. but a man of peace. The treaty would not end the centuries of conflict. Mr. Lloyd George with his treaty was going to do with Ireland what Pitt did with the Act of Union. The treaty was signed under duress and the threat of a renewal of the war. The Irish nation would not respect the treaty and the nation would never have peace. This treaty was the most ignoble that could lie signed. It recognised the British Government's authority in Ireland and was absolutely inconsistent with their position. They would be acting in the best interests of Ireland by rejecting it, as it would not lead to lasting peace. They knew perfectly well that whoever set it up, a provisional Government in Ireland would be looked upon as a usurper, equal with Dublin Castle as it had been in the past. He agreed that the plenipotentiaries were guided by love of Ireland in signing. but he would rather the Irish remained slaves to the end of time than consent to the document. A SENSATIONAL INCIDENT. A sensation was caused when Mr. Barton said that Mr. Griffiths repeatedly tried to have the issue referred to the Dail Eireann, but Mr. Lloyd George insisted that they, as plenipotentiaries, must sign or reject it. He and Mr. Gavin Duffy wanted to refuse, thus involving war, but that would have thrown the responsibility on Messrs. Griffiths and Collins. Therefore he signed. Mr; Collins contended that the decision to enter into the conference was not the acceptance of association within the Empire, but involved a compromise of equal association with the Dominions. They were guaranteed all the freedom they needed or desired. Mr. Childers said the naval provisions ! were a humiliation to Ireland, which would become an English protectorate. The session was adjourned until tomorrow. THE DEBATE CONTINUED. MORE OF DE VALERA’S SPEECH. COLLINS DEFENDS TREATY. Received Dec. 20, 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 19. Mr. De Valera vehemently declared that if the treaty was ratified there would be a lack of flags in the Dublin streets if the King came to open Parliament, but if a proper peace had been marie the King would have been welcomed. Answering loud cries of dissent, he declared: “If we could not bring the King here as the head of a friendly nation, how in heaven’s name could the King come as head o f the Irish Free State?” The treaty would lead to a period of international strife. The Irish people could change their minds if they desired, but until then they should do what they said. Would the new army of Ireland be the King’s? (Cries of “No”.) Mr. De Valera said the Ministers would be the Kings Ministers. (Cries of “No”.) “Time will tell,” he added. “I hope it won’t have the chance, and that you will throw out the treaty. The executive authority in Ireland will be the British monarch, with British authority over the army, which will have to swear allegiance to the English monarch.” In conclusion he quoted Parnell’s dictum against attempting to set a boundary to a nation’s onward march, which was what the treaty entailed.

Mr. Stack and Count Plunkett supported the rejection of the treaty. Mr. Collins said he would stand up for the signature he had given, and would repeat it in the Dail Eireann or anywhere else. (Cheers.) It had been said the plenipotentiaries went down before the first British bluff. “Britain has put up a pretty good bluff during the last two years,” he vided, and I never broke down before

it.” (Cheers.) Acceptance of the invitation to confer was no acceptance of association within the Empire. If they had held out. for a republic there would have been no conference. The treaty gave them all the freedom any nation need desire in which to develop. They had substituted common citizenship with the Dominions for the subjection of Ireland. Were they to continue an impossible fight, and never start on their own feet? The delegation was confident there would be goodwill towards Ulster, and that eventually Ulster would come under the Irish Parliament. It was unfair to quote the dead as against the signatories. He was convinced many of them would have realised that they had acted in Ireland’s best interests.

Mr. Childers described clause six as most humiliating in face of the naval provisions, and it was useless to talk of Ireland’s equality and to make treaties. She would be merely an English protectorate. The King’s representative would be the centre authority, and the Ministers and the provisional Government would be the King’s. While Mr. O’Higgins was speaking Mr. De Valera protested against the public discussion of Cabinet secrets.

Mr. said: “In this crisis the nation is entitled to know everything.” (Cheers.)

Mr. De Valera: “I have already asked that my own proposals be regraded as confidential until I bring them forward.” Mr. Griffiths: “Ought the matter we discussed privately during the last three days to be withheld from the people?” Mr. O’Higgins: “The Dail Eireann ought not to be asked to reject the treaty without an assurance that better terms are available. Neither honor nor principle demanded flinging back the people into war for the difference between the treaty and the fulness of our rights. If the King’s representative acts in Ireland it will be on the advice of the Irish Ministers.” Cheers.) REXONA XMAS PRESENTS. For Fatter and Big Brother—Rexona Shaving Soap, the new triangular stick, 2s. For Mother and Sister—Rexona Skin and Facial Soap. Price 4s (id per dainty box of For every member of the family—Rexonn, the Rapid Healer, a first aid cabinet in i’self. Price i» fid aad 3* Obtainable everywhar.'.