New-York tribune., 1921-12-15
Dominions DoNot Rejoice
at Humiliation of EN-.
pire, Premier Tells Die
Hards' in Commons
Irish Signers Took
Risk, He Declares
Erin, Not Hinder, He
Pleads as Cheers Ring
Throughout the House
By Harold f. Scarborough
rom The Trtbune's European Bureau

From The Trtbune's European Bureau
Copyright. 1921. New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, Dec. 14.-In a scene of
pomp and imperial pageantry seldom
IT ever surpassed in England's history,
Parliament convened in special ses-
sion to-day and King George laid the
Irish peace treaty before it for rati-
fication in an address personally de-
livered from the throne.
Shortly afterward the Prime Minis
ter, David Lloyd George, appeared be-
fore the House of Commons and in q
memorable speech explained the
agreement by which Ireland is to
achieve dominion status and appealed
to Parliament to usher the empire
into new and happier era by ratify-
ing the treaty.
atesmanship consists not merely
in the sincerity of your proposals, but
also in choosing the right moment for
them" Lloyd George declared in ex-
pounding his formula for Irish peace.
The Premier was clearly rested by
his prolonged stay at Chequers Court,
his country home and apparently he
treaty that he was content to treat
most Of the interruptions by the "dh-
hards' with a flow of badinage clearly
disconcerting to them. Only when the
cry The agreement is q surrender to
rebellion was raised did he strike out.
No Humiliation of Empire
"The best answer to that" declared
the Premier, "is the effect the agree
ments have had on the whole world,
and notably on the dominlons. They
are not accustomed to rejoice over the
humiliation of the British Empire. The
prestige of the empire has been enor-
mously enhanced" he flashed, pounding
with his fist on the table before him.
The House of Lords took up consid-
GRAFTON Of the treaty at the same time
it was before the House.
Previous to the Prime Minister'S
speech in the House the adoption of
the address from the throne was moved,
seconded, discussed and approved by
the representatives of all parties. The
next procedure will be the introduction
of bill to ratify the Irish treaty, on
which a vote, if taken, should be held
on Friday
Lloyd Gorge, who arose to speak at
1880 p. m, was greeted with cheers
from the chamber, which was overflow
ing with members of Parliament and
spectators.
He Immediately launched into his
speech, which was divided into two
major parts-frst an outline of the
history and present status of the Brit
ish dominions, and. second, a detailed
defense of the Irish treaty.
House Cheers Treaty Defense
In sharp contrast to the situation in
the Dali meeting in Dublin to-day,
where sentiment was sharply divided
as to the treaty, the British Premier
was addressing House overwhelmingly
in his favor, which cheered him re-
soundingly at every point he made
His triumph would have been greater
had there been more opposition, in
stead Of acqulescencc on the part of
the majority, which resulted in some
of his best fighting oratory remaining
unused.
"Our colonies have approved the
treaty and our Allies have sent con-
gratulations," he cried, "yet some of
my associates and some Of the Irish
signing the treaty.
81 appeal to the House not to say
anything to make Irish peace harder.
Let us help the Irish, not hinder
them"
Emphasizing the danger of a too in
flexible definition of the relations be-
tween England and the dominions, the
Premier pointed out that the treaty
furnished guaranty to Ireland, so
far as English aggression was con-
cerned; whenever there was danger of
encroachment on Irish liberties every
dominion would feel the danger and act
accordingly
Ireland Rules Own House
"lreland has been given complete
control Of her internal affairs; she
rules her own house." said Lloyd
George. "She will have an equal voice
in the empires foreign policy, like
every other dominion since their status
Continued nsxt psps)