Evening star., 1921-12-09

London Wonders What Effect Dub.
lin Split May Have on Brit
ish Parliament.
By the Associated Press.
DUBLIN, December 9.-The ratifi-
cation of the treaty between Ireland
and Great Britain will be moved at
the dali eifeann meeting next We'd
nesday,, by Arthur Grifith. as chair
man Of the plenipotentiaries, it was
announced today by President De
Valera, in aNstatement issued by the
dali publicity department.
1t would not be moved as a cabinet
decision. added the statement, be-
cause the views Of the delegates diff
fered from those of certain members
Of the cabinet.
Press Scores De Valera.
1--WE do not know whether the
country will or will not be asked to
n1ake the momentous choice between
peace and war by means of a referen-
Irish Times. I'VE shall mention only
three facts which neither Mr.. De
Valera nor anybody else can dis
prove:
THE first is that the Downing
street sediment offers Ireland the
greatest measure Of freedom and the
richest prospects of peace and prog
ress that ever were or can be with
In her grasp. The second fact is
Ireland to the renewal of hateful and
ruinous warfare. The third fact that
il she rejects the, treaty. she will for
felt the sympathies of the whole
world.
of pride and folly, defy the world
and turn her back upon her last and
greatest opportunity? God Forbid
Opposition startles Dublin.
The extent to which Dublin was
surprised by Eamonn De Valera's state
ment of last night in opposition to
the terms of the Irish agreement can
not easily be exaggerated. Although
his sentiments were generally known
1t was not believed he would openly
differ at the last moment Nth the
decisions of the Sim Fefn's aecredited
plenipotentiarfes.
The protracted nature Of yester-
the agreement in hand. Indicated to
all observers that the question was
not being settled easily, but those
who looked for anything but . unani-
nous decision OF the cabinet favorinE
the agreement were very few.
eral feeling today seemed to be that
the dali eir1eann at its meeting next
wednesday would support Arthur
Griffith and Michael Collins. who stood
by their signatures of the agreement
against all the arguments OF the
plenipoteniaries were again needed In
London the same men would 60 again.
Griffith Stands BY Pact.
Arthur Griffith, head of the Irish
delegation which negotiated the set
tlement at London, had issued the
following statement:
II have signed the treaty between
ireland and Great Britain. believe
this treaty will lay the foundations
of peace and friendship between the
two nations. What I have signed
shall stand by, in the belief that the
end Of the conflict of centuries Is at
hand"
Commenting on the statement of
Eamonn De Valera, opposing the Irish
agreement. the Irish Independent
today says:
ain connection with this develop
ment the outstanding fact IL that on
September IA last the dali eireann
appointed five plenipotentfares to
represent Ireland at a conference with
representatives Of the British gov
ernment to discuss the Anglo-Irish
problem and, If possible, arrive at
settlement With skill and ability
these plenipotentiarfes discharged the
onerous mission entrusted to them.
After long weeks Of arduous labor
and persistent effort they secured
terms and q settlement which we have
no doubt were the best that in exist
tracted.
support Demanded By Honor.
"As plenipotentiaries they repre-
sented the dali eireann and the Irish
nation, and in tie exercise Of theD
power they signed a treaty Of peace.
I'VE submit that in the circum-
stances the nation is in honor bound
to uphold their action. If the posi-
ton were reversed and IL the head of
the British government, together
with members Of the British cabinet,
sought to repudiate the treaty the
Irish people would unhesitatingly
condemn their attitude"
The Irish Times says:
"The country will read with deep
dismay the statement Mr.. De Valera
Issued last night after a prolonged
meeting Of the dali eireann. The 10y
alist minority is ready to put its faith
in the good will Of which Arthur
Griffith has assured 1t. Now De Valera
steps in between Ireland and her
hopes"