Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1921-08-16
SCENES ATTENDING
OPENING IN STRIKING
CONTRAST TO ULSTER
In opening the Dali Erreann at its first public ses-
sion here today Eamonn De Valera, the republican
leader reiterated lrelands claim for separation

from Great Britain and
declared the only govern
ment the people recogniz-
ed was the ministry of the Dali Eir.
eann the Irish parliament.
He and his colleagues, De Valera
said. had adopted toward England the
principle laid down by Cardinal Mer-
cier Of Belgium toward Germany, that
external authority was unlawful. The
Irish. he said, stood for the ideals en-
throned in the American Declaration
OF Independence Mr. De Valera pro-
vOked laughter by describing the Brit
ish attitude as that OF great nation
demanding guarantees for its safety
from small one. when it should be q
big nation guaranteeing safety to a
small state. The cabinet, Mr. De Va
lera declared. did not think the Brit
ish proposals were just.
Mr. De Valera pointed to the vir-
tually impossible conditions surround
ing negotiations with the British gov
ernment, for the position, he said, was
that of a man unarmed facing a man
pointing a pistol.
There were people who wanted to
negotiate to save their faces, he con-
tinued, but the Sim Fein would not
negotiate to save faces, but to save,
if possible. bloodshed, and for right
and principle.
There were 130 members present,
including those who had been releas-
ed from prison to admit of their at.
tending the session A great au-
dieace crowded the gallery floor as
Eamonn de Valera led the members
into the chamber. Prayer was offered
in beginning the ceremonial, and then
the oath was administered to the
members en- masse.
John T. Kelly was reelected speak.
er of the parliament. but he declined
the office, and Professor John Mcneil
was chosen.
The signing of the roll took nearly
an hour, as 130 members, representing
every county in Ireland except Antrim
and every city except Belfast, were
present.
The calling of the names of Sir
James Craig and other orangemen
elected to the house Of commons was
received with laughter. John j. Nc
Keown, the recently released prisoner,
over whose exception from the first
release order a hitch in the negotia-
tiCns was at one time threatened. was
chaered
lhere We're many women in the au-
dience. but there was lacking such Il
display OF elaborate costumes as was
witnessed at the opening of the Bel
fast parliament.
A few members Of the clergy were
noted, including some members OK
the religious orders in their habits.
The members having signed tho
roll President De Valera formally
opened the new parliament, and fol-
lowing the speakership election of
John O'kelly, chairman of the Gaelic
League, as deputy speaker. Mr., De Va.
lera delivered his speech.
The scenes attending the opening of
the parliament were in striking con-
tra8t to those witnessed in Belfast
when King George opened the Ulster
parliament
Dublin was not decorated as was
Belfast, and instead OF suuadrons of
cavalry, division OF infantry and
numerous police, the only uniform.
ed men to be seen on the street, were
traiiic officers, Even these did not ap.
pear III the vicinity of the Mansion
house where the parliament met.