Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-22
IRISH TIRE
Continued from Page One)


speakers tended to support this pre-
dicton.
Near the close of her long speech,
Miss Mary MacSwiney not only said
that she might never have another
opportunity to address that assembly
unless Ireland became a republic, but
marked out her future policy and
that of the republican party of re-
bellion against the free state.
E.. She has had opportunities of as
pertaining the views of the members
of the Dali Eireann and these refer
enccs were taken as pointing to her
considered opinion as to the probable
result in the Sim Fein parliament.
George Gavan Duffy and other
speakers for ratification seemed to
take it for granted that the Dali
Eireann would approve the treaty
but despite these indications a large
clement OF the Dublin population con-
tinued apprchcnsiyc tonight regard
ing the outcome
There were several references to-
day, as yesterday, to plebiscitc,
whatever the Dali decision may be-
in order to obtain a free expression
from the electorate on the issue and
thus Clear tho air.
Much friction between the opposing
sides was in evidence. Jnterchangss
in the morning session between Mr.
De Valera and Mr.. Griffith were mark
cd by accrbity, creating a tense at
mosphere The speech of VIM. Cos
grave in the afternoon, however. went
far towards restoring mutual friend
Illness.
Cosgrave, one of the most active
and popular members of the Dali. who
is in close touch with municipal and
county organizations throughout Ire
land and is regarded as knowing well
the trend of public sentiment, strong
ly advocated ratification of the treaty.
He made it plain that a'grcat major
ity of the Irish people favored accept
ance His speech was all the more
effective for being jocular and his
sharpest thrusts were not resented
even by the men at whom they were
directed. Charles Burgess, minister
of defense, for example. laughed
Mccarthy DIT AOSSIdNt > dtGCIiptlCIl Sl
him--"good at war, but not good for
anything else" He followed the line
adopted by Michael Collins ard web
coined the treaty chiefly for it's imme-
diately helpful effects on Irish social
and economic conditions.
Mr.. Cosgrave, who is really the
principal administrator of Dublin
city, spoke with much pathos of the
misery of 10000 Dublin families each
of whom lived in one room and sug-
gested the desirability of leaving the
decision to the Irish people, who had
the best right to determine their
own future.
The meeting today was notable for
speeches by Gavan Duffy, and canon
J. Duggan, two of the delegates who
signed the treaty. Though they spoke
from different angles, Mr.. Duffy re-
GREETING the treaty and Mr.. Duggan
praising its possibilities, they agreed
in strongly recommending the Dali
Eireann to ratify it. They differed
materially on the question of the al
leges duress applied to obtain their
signatures, Duffy corroborating Rob-
crit G. Barton, who made the charge
in his speech Monday that signature
was compelled by threat of imme-
date war and Duggan denying coer-
cion.
Mary MacSwiney spoke passion
ately for a republic, denying repeat
eddy that the idea'of republic was
dead.
If the President and a united cab
met stood for the treaty" she de-
clared, Eve would still stand for
republic"
She asked for a plebiscite Of the
women on the question of a republic.
saying that the women and children
of Ireland would continue to stand for
II even If the men turned their backs
en- It.
ireland should choose extermina
ton before dishonor." she exclaimed
Miss Macswiney attacked Premier
Lloyd George. the treaty and the press.
including the American press, which
she said was unfair to the republican