The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-22
A START
'Irish Republic" Is Formed at
Meeting i'm Dublin.
Ministry of Four-Peace Dele
gates Are Chosen Early.

Dublin, Jan. 2o.-According to the
provisional constitution of the Irish
republic now before the Dali Fire
ann," legislative powers are to be
vested in deputies elected from exist
ing parliamentary constituencies. The
ministry will consist of president
and four executive officers-secretar-
les of finance, home affairs, foreign
affairs and national defense, all reve-
nues will be raised on the vote of the
Dali Eireann." The constitution may
be altered upon seven days notice.
The attitude of the British govern
ment toward the new Irish republic
was the principal subject of specula-
ton here today.
So far, the imperial authorities have
maintained a policy of hands off -
utterly ignoring the proce edings of the
irish parliament, which met 1atesTues-
day, adopted a declaration of indepen-
dence and appointed a committee to
represent Ireland at the peace confer
ence.
The meeting, which lasted only an
hour and a half. passed off without
incident.
The government has made no effort
TO police the Mansion house, the Sim
Feiners providing their own guards to
maintain order.
About 1000 persons were present,
including many women and children
The proceedings were conducted large
ly in Gaelic, altho the declaration of
independence was read in English and
French. Charles Burgess acted as
chairman.
The peace delegates selected were
Count Plunkett. Prof. Edward De Va
lera and Arthur Griffiths. The latter
two are In prison. The aged count
apparently will have to go to Paris
alone to present IrelaDd's claim OF
right of elf-determination He must
travel on British passports.
a Prayer in Gaelic.
The parliament opened with n
prayer by Father O'FIannagan, in
Gaelic. Then the famous round room
of the Mansion house was filled with
strange Gaelic accents. which came
haltingly from unaccustomed lips. The
spoken at APO when Z. J. Duggar
| translated the Sim Fein declaration
of independence.
Later the chairman employed Eng
lish in excitedly suppressing a demon
straton at mention of the name o.
/ Sir Edward Carson, leader of the
anti-home rule faction. The onl,
other time when any language bu
Gaelic was used was when Coun
! Plunkett translated into French az
I appeal for world wide recognition o
Irish independence. insisting that tn.
! ONa9tAhS SLdLt VI "dI between I'M
! English and the Irish could terminal.
I only in complete independence Re
, moval of the British garrison from
Ireland was demanded.
Twenty-nine Sim Fein members o
! the parliament were present. Tn,
! others are in Jail
British Government Silent
The British government today ha
not yet answered the Sim Fein chal
( lenge of Irish independence issued a
! Tuesdays initial meeting of the 'Irisl
parliament
remarkable situation was pre-
! sented by the imperial authorities
continued silence regarding an ac
that. in the eyes of British law. con
stituted the most fragrant form O
sedition.
Ireland stood before the world to
day as a republic-on paper. Its duIt
elected representatives had exercise,
the right of elf-determination to tn
fullest extent; had even selected dele
gates to represent it at the peace con
Sress as separate entity. This wa
accom- plishd under the very nose o
/ Viscount French's military govern
I nent.