New-York tribune., 1921-12-20
Dali Division
Equal as Pact
Nears Decision
(csn,Inuad from vas. sn.l

even such freedom rs Canada. but his
appeal against ratification left the ma
jority Of the members cold. The bitter
cndcrs, as is so often the cage in a
revolution, are either partly of foreign
blood or influenced by some personal
injury which they or their immediate
arc Dc Valera. Austin Stack, Count
Plunkctt, Erskine Childers and John
MacSwincy, whose brother starved him
self to death in an English Jail.
Strangely enough, the militarists of
the Sim Fcin movement arc not in
cluded among the bitter-endcrs.
To morrow's debate should prove no
less interesting than today's, for it is
possible that De Valera will then intro.
formative Irish peace plan, though it is
probable it will 20 over to Wednes sday.
From the moment tho session opened.
4 half-hour later, tho two facti0ns which
have formed over the question Of rati-
fcation were In violent conflict. 1t was
apparent from the outset that, con-
trary to the general opinion, the secret
sessions had failed to reconcile the dit
ferenccs between the De Valera group
and the Griffith Collins faction.
Speaker MacNcill announced that he
had been requested by De Valera to
prevent any reference in the public
sessions to q certain document which
the president had presented at the Sc
crct session. This was believed to bo
De Valcrns settlement scheme. Griffith
WAS on his feet in a moment protesting
against a move which he said would
handicap him in presenting his resolu>
ton for ratification.
Across the floor the two leaders en-
gagged in lively battle, and although
they failed to come to a'decision it
the document only in the most guarded
manner.
De Valera had proposed in private a
certain peace formula which Griffith
described several times as mere
qubbla in words. Griffth's speech
lasting a half-hour, was delivered
forcefully and frequently drew ap-
plause. particularly when he said the
question before the Dali was not one
regarding an order OF parliamentary
procedure, but one affecting the lives
Of the Irish people.
"Ihis treaty" he said, "gives Ireland
irish rights. / believe 95 per cent OF
the Irish people consider it good
treaty. In all the CORES spondence lead
ing up to the final treaty not once WAS
The question Of recognition Of the Irish
republic raised, because it vas known
it would have been refused.
Counter proposals which have
been made involve nothing moro than
a quibble in words.
Forcsees Equality for Ireland
Not one young Irish life would be
wasted, for this treaty means equality
for Ireland, the evacuation of ireland
after 700 years and the formation OF
an Irish army. That is why | am
for it,
Griffith read letter from Premier
Lloyd George giving the British inter
pretation OF various clauses of the
treaty. and argued that practically
everything for which Ireland had been
lighting was now within her grasp.
Griffith, who is built likesa middle
weight wrestler and is deliberate in all
his movements, spoke with only oc-
caslonai reference to his notes and
frequently put fire into his words
that showed his sincerity.
Commandant John McKeown, the
famous blacksmith Of Ballinalee. rose
to second Grifith's motion, declaring
that what ireland wanted was Sub
stance, not shadows" and that the
treaty gave Ireland "every chance to
develop her own life in her own way"
He has a reputation for great bravery
and daring patriotism, but he will not
win admiration as an orator on the
strength Of this mornings speech. The
husky smith stuck to his task with
great courage, however, and received
much applause when he had completed
his first public oraton.
In rising, De Valera said he was
not able TO introduce resolution re-
jecting the treaty, but he wanted to
appeal to the Dali to defeat Grifith's
motion. De Valera has considerable
parliamentary skill, though his mind
frequently works much too fast for
his tongue. He is easily the best
orator III the Dali. if he is not the
possessor Of the clcarest brain.
De Valeras opposition to the treaty,
simply told, is that he considers Ii
irreconcilable with the platform on
which members of the Dali were
elected.
Il am against this treaty because it
will not end the centuries OF conflict"
he said. "l am against this treaty
because [ nm q man of peace. / am
against this treaty because it will not
even reconcile our own people. "These
three sentences contain the gist Of De
Valera's argument.
1t was bitter attack which the Sim
Fein president made on the treaty.
though he was careful not to saw any