Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-08-16

DUBLIN. Aug. 16.-In opening the
Dali Eireann at it's first public ses-
sion today Eamon de Valera reiterat-
ed Ireland's claim for separation
from Great Britain and declared the
only government the people recog-
nized was the ministry of the Dali
Eireann, the Irish republican parl:a-
ment.
He and his colleagues. the head "f
the republican cabinet said. had
adopted toward England the princi-
pies laid down by Cardinal Mercier,
of Belgium, toward Germany--t1e
principle that external authority Was
unlawful. The Irish. he said stood
for ideals enthroned in the Ameri-
can declaration of independence.
MIR. de Valera provoked laughter
by declaring the British attitude as
that of great nation demanding
guarantees of its safety from small
one when it should be big nation
guaranteeing safety to a small state.
The cabinet had sent the reply II
did Mr.. de Valera declared, because
it did not think the British proposals
were Just.
He said during his talks with
Lloyd George, the subject of free
dom of small nations had come up
and he told Mr.. Lloyd George that
if he recognized the principals in
volved there would be no need for
negotiations.
We recognized them and will live
and die for them, Mr.. de Valera
said.
Mr.. De Valera pointed to the vir-
tually impossible condition sur
rounding negotiations with the Bri-
fich for tho nnSitinn he
said, was that Of man, unarmed,
facing a man pointing a pistol.
There were people who wanted to
negotiate to save their faces, but the
Sim Fein would not negotiate to
save faces, but to save, If possible.
bloodshed, and for right and princi-
pie.
The audience, which assembled at
the Mansion house for the meeting.
occupied seats in the gallery and on
the floor of the chamber around the
square space in front of the dais, In
which the 1870 members who ac-
cepted invitations to participate oc-
cupied the battered armchairs and
sofas. over the dais was the coat of
arms of the O'Neill's, the clan of the
present lord mayor. a red hand on 81
shield with a swimming fish beneath.
1t was 11:15 o'clock when Mr.. De
Valera led the members into the
chamber, accompanied by members
of the republican cabinet and Lord
Mayor O'Neill. Cheers were given
for the Republican leader.
A short prayer was said by Father
O'Flannaghan followed by swearing
in of members who took the oath as
a body. The first member to sign
the roll was Michael Collins, com
mander-in- chief of the republican
army, elected from Armath in Ul-
ster. The other invited members
from Ulster were absent. Mr.. De
Valera, elected a member from both
County Downs and County Caire,
signed as "a member from the latter
county.
Mr.. de Valera said that at tomor-
rows session, besides recounting the
negotiations between the Irish and
British governments. he would in a
general way, give an account of his
own department and that afterwards
other ministers would give accountn
of the departments.
The proposed reply to Premier
Lloyd George would be considered in
private session. he said. All under
stood the seriousness of the question.
he stated. as the English declared
it to be case of peace or war with
Ireland. Further election to Offices
would occur and then the presi lent
would work on the proposition . lac
advanced by the new ministry.
Mr.. de Valera asserted that Ireland
had at the elections virtually declar-
ed by plebiscite for republican gov