THE IRISH TREATY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1922, Page 5

THE IRISH TREATY.

'DAIL EIREANN RESUMES. $ DEBATE CONTINUED. NO DECISION YET. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Jan. 3. The Dail Eireann has reassembled. Shouts of “Ratify, Ratify,” from large crowds outside the University buildings in Dublin greeted the members of the Dail Eireann when arriving for the resumption of the debate. The walls were decorated with the motto “Mulcahy wants peace, who else can fight?” A suggestion was made during the debate that Princess Mary’s engagement should be broken off and that she should marry Michael Collins. Later in the debate, Mr. Collins, who was not present when Princess Mary’s name was dragged in, hotly protested that he would not allow, without challenge, any insult to any lady, either Irish or of any other nation. Mr. O’Connor asserted that the chairman of the Irish delegation had written to Mr. Lloyd George saying that he had given certain guarantees with regard to the Southern Unionists. Mr. O’Connor demanded to know what these were, declaring that this was the peace that was shoved down the necks of the Irish people by bayonets. Mr. Beasley, supporting ratification, said members seemed to think more of political formulae than of the solidarity of the Irish nation. He added that the nation was not made for the Dail Eireann, but the Dail Eireann for the nation. Countess Markievicz said she could not make a declaration of fidelity to the King and Commonwealth of the British nations, which were holding down India and Egypt. Therefore, while Ireland was not free, she was a rebel. Mr. J. J. Walsh said that nine out of every ten of his constituents favored the treaty. Mr. Higgins, deputy-Speaker, opposed the treaty. He said the best elements in his constituency opposed it. Mr. Blythe, Minister of Trade, supported the treaty, which he believed was the best thing for Ireland. Mr. O’Callaghan, Lord Mayor of Cork, opposed the treaty, and suggested a referendum of the people should decide. Mr. Collins (interrupting) : You allow the treaty to go through and a provisional Government to be established, then you can attack the provisional Government. Mr. de Valera interjected: We will do that if the treaty is ratified. The debate was adjourned. FIFTY TO SPEAK YET. THE TWO PARTIES EQUAL. Received Jan. 4, 7.10 p.m. London, Jan. 4. Fifty-three members of the Dai! Eireann have spoken and fifty others have intimated their intention of speaking. It is believed the forces of the ratificationists and rejectionists i are equal, and nine members have not given either party a definite pledge.