The Washington times., 1921-12-14
By DANIEL O'CONNELL.
International News Service.


international News Service.
DUBLIN, Dec. 14.-Despite an
impassioned protest from Michael
Collins, commander-in-chief Of the
Irish Republican army, the Sim
,Fein parliament (Dail Eireann)
today went into secret session for
discussion of the Irish peace
treaty.
Victory For DE Valera.
The decision to make today's ses-
sion secret was a tacit victory for
De Valera. An open session will be
held tomorrow.
The motion for a secret session
was made by DIR. White. Eamon de
Valera sprang from his seat and
seconded 1t.
Collins then got the floor and made
fiery speech.
Some have called me a traitor"
shouted the republican commander.
Il want to clear myself publicly. l
demand an open session."
Collins face was flushed with
anger and his eyes flashed.
II have nothing to conceal" he
continued. "I signed the agreement
upon the understanding that all
were to recommend its acceptance"
After Collins sat down, several
others spoke on the motion before
final decision was taken.
Before the session was called to
statement on his differences with
the Irish peace delegates.
CIashs With Collins.
AT two meetings of Dali Eireann
when the delegates were present /
have clarified my point of view"
said the Sim Fein leader. The as
sembly sent the delegates to Lon
don expecting that they would have
an opportunity to criticize and re-
view the results Of the conference.
the form Of the treaty without cab
met sanction
There was a hot cross fire of verbal
exchanges between de Valera and
| Collins, which resulted in the speaker
ruling the former out OF order
De Valera brought up the legality
| Of the Irish delegates action at Lon
| don. He declared the Sim Fein
| plenipotentiaries were not empowered
| to sign the pact until the cabinet had
| given its assent.
Valera had misrepresented the situs-
| ton. Then he read document which
indicated that the delegates had the
| fullest power to sign regardless of the
| Sim Fein cabinet.
Collins threatened to carry the
treaty direct to the Irish people in a
plebiscite IL Dali Eireann rejected II.
mot Dali Eireann, but the Irish
people are our masters. and they have
a right to know the facts" declared
the army chief.
Collins had shaved off his mus.
tache and looked quite boyish. Be-
fore the session was called to order
he was in high good humor and
laughed and joked with his fellow
members.
Meet Anew Tomorrow.
Collins agreed to secret discussion
Of certain confidential issues" pro.
vided an open session will be held
| for discussion of the treaty.
Dali Eireann will meet again at
| IL o'clock tomorrow morning, when
the press and pubic will be admitted
A group OF Irish students gave de
Valera great reception. There
were a number OF women present,
all in heavy mourning for relatives
lost in fighting with the British.
They included Mrs. Pearce. whose
husband was a victim Of the 1916
rebellion; Mrs. Clarke. Mrs. O'Calla.
CHAN. OF Cork. and Miss, McSwiney,
sister of the late lord mayor OF Cork.
who died on hunger strike nj London.
II was reported that all OF the
-'cr,bcrs Of Dali Elreann. who are
officers In the Irish Republican
army. were In favor Of ratification
Of ths treaty, with ono exception.