The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-25
DEVALERA'S OATH MAKES IRISH IN
 ENGLAND ALIENS
Adoption of Treaty Certain, But New Era of Strife in Southern Ireland
 ForeSeen
By GEORGE N. BARNES
 British Parliamentry Leader Special Wireless Dispatch to The Age

Herald,
 Copyright, 1921, by The AEe-Herald1
 London, December 24.-Ireland indeed is born to troubles just as surely as sparks fly upward. All in dications from Dublin go to show that she may be destined to new era of factional strife in which the issue will be the personal ascendancy of Eamonn DeValera. The separate republic of his fancy is gone. It is dead with few to pay it reverence and these few fight against fate. Modern science as well as the opinion of civilized mankind have given a decree against them.
 What remains is the difference be- tween fthe form of words drawn up by DeValera and those embodied in the Downing street agreement. This diff ference has been described by Arthur Griffith as a mere shadow and qulb- ble of words. And yet. which for the interposition of miracle, this men who will fight themselves alone" instead of the forces of Great Britain.
 Adoption Insured
 The alignment of forces in the Dali Eireann at the time of adjournment was taken Thursday evening seen to insure the adoption of the treaty by a comfortable majority. The adjournment of the debate has been a real victory for Collins and Griffith as against DeValera. It will give time for Iishmen in England as well as on the other side of the Irish channel to get the true bearings of the situation. and I believe 1t will strengthen the hand of the advo- catesof the pact.
 But as I SC the situation, Arthur Griffith's "shadaw'' may have read substance for Irishmen on this side of the channel, however shadowy it may be for Irishmen in Ireland. For the latter 1t may be a mere matter of form. For Irishmen here 1t may have a serious meaning.
 The oath contained in the agree ment envisages Irishmen as in "com mon citizenship of Ireland and Great Britain DeValera's oath affirms the association of Ireland with the British commonwealth, but omits ref erence to the common citizenship of 1rishmen in the United Kingdom.
 Would Be Aliens
 What does this mean? There Is as yet no explanation. But the obvious implication is that 1t affects Irishmen here as well as in rIeland. A large part of the population of Great Brit ain is Irish by birth or part Irish by parentage. We have no quarrel with them. They are, with us In all or our activities. They are nUL only with us, but of us. Their blood is CO., mingled with ours. To do anything which would make them aliens would be to cut out what has become vital to both of us. But even if this may be strained interpretation of De- Valera's meaning, 1t Is quite clear that Irishmen coming here in the fu- ture would come as aliens. Whatever DeValera may have in mind, that is the clear literal meaning of the words. Therefore, 1t is plain the Irish question In this aspect ceases to be question only for Irishmen in Ireland, and becomes one for consid- eration of Irishmen in Great Britain also. Meantime, while the Irish con- ference is adjouRned, the Washing. ton confere noe has inspired the Brit ish people with new hope. The French demands were a disturbing element ana caused England to watch the later sessions with some anxiety, but there Is already such a volume of agreement to insure success. Ths conference constitutes a great effort which entities those who are re. sponsibie to say that they are worIs- Ing to truly celebrate the birth of the prince of peace. The results al Washington are a grand Christmas gift to the world.