New-York tribune., 1921-12-20
Ne Valera Assails Treaty
as 'Ignoble' in Day of
Angry Debate; His Own
Plan Called a Quibble
Griffith, Collins
Plead for Peace
Close Vote Is Expected,
but Defeat of Sinn Fein
President and Bitter
Enders Is Prophesied
By Arthur S. Draper
sneeial cable 70 The Trlbune

Special cable 10 The Tribune
coayright 1921. New York Tribune Inc
DUBLIN. Dec. 19.-The Dali
Eireann to-day struggled through
day of open debate on the Irish
treaty, in which bitter feeling came
to the surface in sharp repartee.
biting criticism and pointed insinua-
tons. Developments showed the
two factions in stern opposition, and
apparently Of almost equal strength.
Ratification seems impossible before
Wednesday at the earliest.
Eamon de Valera, president Of the
republic apparently has deter
mined to go down fighting, and he is
bound to have a goodly company in
The defeat which he still is con-
adently expected to suffer.
Eleven members OF the Dali gave rea-
sons for and against ratification in the
session, which was held at University
College, and to the end the debate was
marked by bitterness on the part of
opponents Of De Valera in his fight
against what he calls "the most igno-
bic document in Irelands history" De
Valera himself, in an eloquent speech.
made strong protest against what ne
termed the unfa;rness of the Irish
press in reporting the proceedings.
THIS itself was q small point, but it
indicated the tension under which the
deputies are conducting their delibera-
lions.
Collins Pleads for Peace
Michael Collins, head Of the renubli-
ran army and leading militant in
IEeland'S battle with the English
pleaded for peace in a half hour ad-
dress in which he was frequently
dFdwned out by applause from an audi
snce which hitherto had been notably
nnemotional. Collins was one of the
negotiators of the treaty.
To-day revealed the Dali split wide
open, and the next general election is
certain to find Z new government fac
lag an opposition from among those
Rho are now in It's ranks.
De Valera's speech was sometime of
2 swan song, hut he served notice that
ne intends to remain republican.
Tnatever may be the vote on the treaty..
Arthur Griffith. founder of Sim Fein
ana, with Collins, the leader in the
Agn' f0f the ratification of the treaty.
fropahly viii head the new government
'.a Collins as his right hand man.
Nearly every speaker in favor of the
.reaty made some yelled reference @ 70
.ae tact that certain members
oOviously meaning De Valera-were
mylns 70 tell Ireland it's duty, DESPITE
he fact hat they themselves were nor
Wholly u Irish descent.
ROBERT c. Barton, one of the sirners
0l the treaty at the dramatic NIGHT
conference in London. explained his
POSITION, declaring that he would NOT
nave signed had it been possible to
feier the document for the agreement
u tne Dali Cabinet. 1t was a case of
EsAing The responsibility for another
Aagisn-lriSh war or signing forthwith.
and he signed.
Lloyd George Offered Terms
As speaker followed speaker it was
possible to piece together the dramatic
HOlhehts oil the day on which the
aIcanehtons decision was made. Just at
shc moment when the negotiations were
dilN tue long Ell OrC Tor
peace seemed doomed, Premier Lloyd
ueofge made new liberal concessions
"a condition that the Sim Fein dele
gates sign immediately Most of them
sonsldered it useless to fight longer
ana after hard struggle they finally
accepted The Premier's offer.
rom to-day's debate it was apparent
p rnat most OF the soldiers of the Sim
csl,. csln army considered it wiser to yield.
sloliins,. replying to a charge that the
eeeiegatlon broke down before LLOYD
ueorges bluff of renewing warfare,
sald' The British put up d good bluff
Vt at least two years and | didn't
sofeak down" at which the Dali gave
rousing cheer.
mere IS not the shadow of a doubt
sa' even the supporters OF the treaty
~ ~ not wholly satisfied with it, but
sa, asy consider it useless TO fight for
S'r,apiete independence now
,;.s Lsrskine Childers, who is partly Eng
.sa and married to an American and
sao as Minister of Propaganda acted
~ saS secretary of the Irish delegation,
ssaae saue an able analysis of the treaty
'4'"'hg that Ireland does not enjoy
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