The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-13
THREE SIDED FIGHT
Irish and British ParIiaments
Meet on Wednesday.
Pope FaVOrs Peace Treaty as 1t
Stands, Is Report.
new BELFAST OUTBREAKS
Valera Has Backing in Fight
Against Ratification.
British Take Stand He'd Oppose
Amy Treaty.

Belfast, Dec. 13.-Sir James Craig S
bitter attack against the Irish peace
treaty was followed by spasmodic
bursts of disorder during the night. A
girl was wounded during a street fu-
sillade this morning.
London, Dec. 13.-Pope Benedict
favors ratification of the Irish peace
treaty in it's present form, according
to a Rome dispatch to the Daily Ex-
press today. The dispatch added that
the pontiff had authorized the vatican
to announce that ratification would
cause supreme joy to his holiness"
The three-cornered fight in Lon
don, Ulster and Dublin over the Irish
peace treaty swung swiftly toward it's
climax today.
A meeting of the highest prelates
of the Roman Catholic church in Ire
land was held at Dublin. In view or
Cardinal Logue'S public defense of the
peace settlement, it was expected a
resolution would be adopted recon-
mending its ratification by Dali
Eireann.
Two Parliaments to Meet.
Both Dali Eireann and the British
parliament will assemble tomorrow for
action on the treaty. Fiery bursts OF
oratory on both sides are expected.
Premier Lloyd George, who will
make a personal appeal 20 the house
of commons to approve the pact. has
completed what his friends believe
will BE- the greatest speech of his long
and spectacular political career
While Lloyd George is leading the
fl hit for ratification in the British
parliament, Arthur Griffith will be
making a .jinilar appeal to the Dali
Eireann at Dublin.
Valera Has Backing.
While it is admitted Eamonn DE Va
lera, leader of the opposition in Dali
Eirea---l. has a large personal follow
ing, advices from Dublin said there
was apparently no reason to change
the original prediction that the treaty
would be ratified by a safe majority
Ulster will have no direct part in
the fight tomorrow, except as Ulster
Unionists in the British house of COM
NOR speak against ratification. The
Ulster cabinet, headed by Sir James
Craig, has decided to allow the Union
lists in the British parliament to carry
on listers fight against the pact.
Would Oppose Any Pact.
The statement issued by de Valera.
pointing out that Dali Eireann could
honorably reject the treaty despite the
fact it had been signed by the Sim
Fein plenipotentiaries, did not cause
much anxiety to British officials. They
said such action by de Valera had been
expected In some quarters the be-
lief has prevailed for a long time that
de Valera would oppose any pact that
might be signed here.
1t was presumed that de Valera pur-
posely remained away from London so
that he could have a free hand in op-
posing any pact that did not come up
to his expectations.
Irish Bishops n-Committal.
Dublin, Dec. 13.-The Irish Roman
Catholic bishops, in session here to-
day, decided not to adopt a resolution
recommending ratification of the Irish
peace treaty by Dali Eireann tomor-
row.
Following the meeting, a statement
was issued asking the nation to pray
that the members of Dali Eireann shall
have divine guidance when they take
up the treaty. Cardinal Logue, prim-
ate of Ireland, presided.