The New York herald., 1921-12-20
Gives Political Freedom.

lie continued: eve did not go over to
dictate terms to the vanquished. for we
knew we had not vanquis!ed them and
driven them out OF the country. Irish
history is not a history OF military
struggle over $50 years. symbolized in
the name of the republic. RI is history
OF 750 years of peaceful penetration by
England that cannot be stopped except
by political freedom. The treaty gives
Ireland security and politeca- freedom" ="
England could not interfere with
Canada, Mr.. Collins continued. and Ire
land would have the benefit of associa-
ticn with Canada and the other domin-
ions TO prevent interference. Canada
could appoint a representative at Wash
ington and IN the League Of Nations. and
England could not make war without
consulting Canada. Ireland would be In
the same position. Those who cited
Lloyd George or Churchill to any con-
trary effect only showed "the slave
mind
In impassioned words he dwelt upon
the need Of upbuilding the nation and
stopping British penetration.
Are we to keep ourselves I'm slaf cry
and subjection for the sake of llecp 'ng
up an impossible fight?" he exclaimed
Rejection OF the treaty means q decia-
ration of war. I. as ar individual, do
not now. more than ever. shirl5 war
cloud cheers) But I will not be ono Of
those who would commit the Irish people
70 war without the Irish people commit
ing themselves to war. yCheers). II my
people send me 20 represent them In var
will do my best to represent them. But
we must face facts"
Some OF the Deputies had talked Of
fixed principles. but those same uersons.
l. -
and having fought against the Irish
people. now were fighting on the side Of
the Irish people. They might change
again. The only fixed principle 'yas
government by consent OF the governed .
yet Deputies who admitted that the
country approved Of the treaty would
vote against II. He himself belonged
to old plain Irish stock.
These references were taken to refer
10 Ersltine Childers. OF English extrac-
tion. and others. and his words were
loudly cheered. There was great laugh
ter when he referred to his opponents
as "the coalition"
Emphatically he declared that h, was
not continuing the fight without con-
sulting tho Irish people for the sake
of propaganda In America.
Erskine Childers. who was heard IN
almost complete silence. delivered q tech
nical detailed speech on dominion status.
which he denied was granted. and he
declared that the treaty was humilat-
ing.
IIhe contended that IrolanI's whole
status must depend on the act OF tho
British Parliament. like the Canadian
act OF 1857, and apparently no steps had
been taken 60 make certain what that
act was 70 contain.
fUtgYrffnfr1
that u was expressly stated that the
/ framing OF The constitution would be IN
| tho hands Of the rrieh Government. Mr.
| Childers said that that was subject e
/ the terms Of tho agreement The Leg.
/ islaturo would consist not OF the Dali
! Eiroann. but Of the King. the Senate and
I the Commons OF Ireland. and every ac.
would be watched from over the water
ON the principle that ireland. under this
I treaty was virtually a protectoratc
/ Everything done IN ireland must be don,
IN tho name Of the King. and the Cover.
| nor-General would be in touch with
Downing street The Irish army would
not be an Independent army. British
troops could legally return. and every
commission in the Irish army would b,
signed By the King or his deputy.
This treaty In the opinion Of the
speaker was stop backward. and II
was hard to place a boundary on the
backward march. once independence was
parted with Mr.. dc Nalera's specific
proposal would have 20 be brought be-
fore the Dali Eireann.
Deputy Higgins supported the plenl.
potentlaries. He said that Chiiders had
wasted time that he Lad suggested nc
method Of shifting thu, British fleet OF
destroying the British srmy.