The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-07


The question of allegiance,
which up to the last moment
threatened to wreck the negOtIa-
tions, was surmountcd by per-
hitting the members OF the
Irish Parliament to swear. aI-
legiance to the constitution of
the Irish Free State and ebe
faithful TO his majesty, the
King"
The treaty has yet to run the
gauntlet of the Ulster government
and of the imperial ~parliament.
The imperial parliament has been
summoned to meet on December IA,
and viii be opened in state by the
King, who has taken the closest
personal interest in the Irish neso-
tia tions since he practically insti-
stated them when he opened the VI
ster Parliament.
Approval by the imperial parlia-
lnent ista foregone conclusion, as
The government has an overwhelm-
ing majority in the House of Com
mons favoring the Irish policy, and
the action of the British represen
tatives in reaching the agreement
has already been unanimously in
dorsed by the cabinet. The position
of Ulster is less certain. Evidence
C. mes from Belfast tonight that the
treasury will be subjected to the
NEST searching examination before
receiving assent, and doubtless many
notifications will be proposed.
King CongratuIates
The King FASTENED to send the
prime minister telegram congratu-
lating him on the success of the ne
gotiatlons and declaring Il am over
joyed to hear the splendid news"
The King will come to London pur-
pcsely tomorrow to preside over the
privy council to approve the procla-
nation summoning Parliament, as the
constitution requires a six days no
tice by royal proclamation.
The treaty was signed by all the
members of the British and Irish del
egations participating in the negotia-
tons, the Irish delegates signing
heir Gaelic names.
ireland Is treated as n single
entity of the provisions of the
treaty, with special clauses pro-
viding against the possibility that
Ulster should refuse acquiescence
In the settlement, In which case
the government of ireland act of
1920 will remain in force so far
as the Northern Parliament is
concerned, but with the stipuia-
tfon that a special commission
shall determine new boundaries
for Northern Ireland.
Provisions also are made for the
cooperation of the two parliaments
in providing certain safeguards In
the event of Ulster remaining out of
the new free state. Neither Parla-
mont, however. will be permitted. un-
der the treaty, to make laws endow-
ing any particular religion or to inn
pose any religious disability.
Coastal Defense
The treaty looks to Ireland in the
future undertaking it's own coastal
defense and provides that Ireland
shall in time of war give the British
FORCES necessary harbor and other ia
cilities. 1t further. by providing
against international limitation of
ornaments, recognizes the Irish Free
states right to maintain its own MIL
itary defense force.
Premier Lloyd George is the re-
eipient of universal congratulations
Tor having successfully rescued the
negotiations from what appeared to
lie an impasse. The general belief,
however, is that Lord Birkenhead.
Who came to the governments rescue
when the question of renewal OF the
Anglo-Japanese treaty had reached
critical stage. is this time respon-
Sible for the formula overcoming the
allegiance difficulty.
Austen Chamberlain, who is leader
of the government in the House Of
Commons, and of the unionist party.
speaking at Birmingham tonight, ex-
pressed the conviction that before
Christmas peace and good will would
be established between the parent
races of the British commonwealth.
and he appealed with emotion 10
.:crthern Ireland to join the new free
state.
Theatrical effect was added to the
..reat drama staged in Downing
street Immediately after the signing
of the treaty. which took place at
$50 o'clock in the morning. When
it became apparent that an agree
ment might be reached, the prime
minister caused instructions to be is
sued for a special train to be held in
readiness to take messenger TO BEL
fast This was necessary as MT.
Lloyd George had promised Sir James
Craig, the Ulster premier, that either
new proposals would be in the lat
ter's hands by Tuesday or the negoti-
ations would be finished.
Immediately after the agreement
was signed, one of the premier's sec
etaries rushed to the station and the
train sped towards Holy Head on a
nonstop run. At Holy Head de-
stroyer was waiting and it conveyed
the secretary to Belfast.
The signing occurred in the historic
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