DE VALERA AGAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 February 1922, Page 5

DE VALERA AGAIN.

SINN FEIN CONGRESS. FATE OF THE TREATY. REBEL URGES REPUBLIC. Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Feb. 21. About three thousand attended the (Sinn Fein Congress, known as Ardfleis. Mr. De Valera, presiding, invited the meeting to decide whether a vote on the treaty be taken openly or by ballot. An amendment was adopted in favor of open voting, Mr. Collins remarking “There can be no doubt about that vote.” Mr. De Valera, in submitting his motion that the aim of Sinn Fein be as before to secure international recognition of Ireland as an independent republic and that Sinn Fein put forward at the forthcoming elections candidates pledged not to take the oath of fidelity to the British King and not to own allegiance to him, said that the necessity for an interpretation of the constitution arose over the signing of the treaty, to ascertain whether it was according to the constitution, which was formed for the securing of international recognition of the Republic.

Mr. De Valera implored the congress, if it could not resist British rule, to adopt passive resistance. Received Feb. 22/9.10 p.m. London, Feb. 21.

At the Sinn Fein Congress Mr. de Valera declared: “I have faith in the Irish nation and that whatever is done here to-day Ireland will be free. The apirft which brought us four years on the way is not going to be quenched by a single vote. If we divide on the great principles who is going to blame us? We are all brothers here. Mr. Griffith and I were colleagues, and no power in England is going to divide us as a nation. We have never accepted British rule, and I ask you in God's name not to give the British monarch the democratic title of Ireland.”

Mr. de Valera said an alternative existed to war. He would rather see Ireland flooded with British troops and Ireland without a single gun than that the conference should commit the irrevocable act of giving British troops the right to be there. If they could not resist actively they could resist passively. Ireland was a mother, and should not occupy the position of an illegitimate daughter. He would rather be a Unionist than take the status of a Free State.

Mr. Arthur Griffith submitted an amendment re-affirming the Congress’ allegiance to the Dail Eireann and supporting the Dail’s approval of the treaty. He said that when he went to London the de Valera Cabinet knew they could not bring back the republic. There would likely be a split in Sinn Fein lasting for some years, though his party was willing to shake hands with the de Valeraites if they got a fair chance. The Congress adjourned till to-mor-row. Hopes are entertained that an agreement between the parties will be seached. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.* IRISH POSITION TO-DAY. TEN TIMES WORSE. Received Feb. 22, 9.10 p.m. London, Feb. 21. The Lord Chancellor, in the House jf Lords, moved the appointment of a tribunal to enquire into the Clones kidnapping raid. He said Ulster declared that the conditions of Ireland were now ten times worse than prior to when the so-called peace was signed. Lord Buckmaster disapproved of an inquiry. He thought Ireland’s only hope "lay in strengthening the hands of the Free State Government. Lord Middleton urged the withdrawal of the motion in the interests of peace. Lord Birkenhead said both the Northern and Free State Governments demanded an inquiry, and they must proceed with the motion. Lord Carson’s amendment was negatived without a division, and Lord Birkenhead’s motion was carried by 41 to 40.—Aus.-N-Z. Cable Assn. THE REPUBLICAN ARMY. NO RECOGNITION BY NORTH. Received Feb. 22, 8.15 p.m. London, Feb. 21. The Northern Government has telegraphed to Mr. Winston Churchill stating that they could not recognise the Irish Republican Army, and desired it to be understood that they cannot submit to any further outside interference the administration of justice in Northern Ireland at the instigation of persons hostile to the existence of their Government. This is in reference to the Viceroy’s action relating to the Derry prisoners.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable HOSTAGES RELEASED. Received Feb. 22, 9.10 p.m. London, Feb. 21. The Irish republicans have released •eventeen more hostages.