The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-12-14
General Outlook For
Agreement Is Favor
able = King Welcomes
Free Ireland To the
Commonwealth of Ma
tons Composing the
British Empire

London, Dec 14-(By the Associat-
ed Press. )-Opening of the special
session of parliament called to con-
slider the Irish peace settlement. King
George said in his speech from the
throne today:
"It is my earnest hope that, by
the articles of agreement now submit
ted to you, the strife of centuries may
be ended"
The text of the kings speech was
as follows:
my Lords and Members of the
House of Commons
81 have summoned you to meet at
this unusual time to read the articles
OF agreement which have been signed
bv my ministers and the Irish delega-
tiOn.
1T was with heartfelt joy that l
learned of the agreement, reached af-
ter protracted consideration covering
many months and affecting, not only
the welfare of Ireland but of the Brit
ish empire. 1t is my hope that
through the articles now submitted to
you the strife of centuries may end
and that Ireland, as a free member
of the commonwealth of nations now
forming the empire will secure full
fillment of her national IDEALS
The session which will probably
rank as the most momentous in the
history of Westminster, was attend
ed by all the brilliant display of pa
geantry marking state openings, with
gorgeously arrayed guardsmen lining
the way from Buckingham palace to
Parliament Square, colorful avenue
through which rolled >the state
coaches bearing their majesties and
dignitaries of state, preceded, flanked
and followed by the glittering caval-
rymen of the royal household.
The guardsmen snapped to present
arms" military lands stationed along
the route blared God Save the\King,"
and the cheering crowds stood on tip
toe to catch glimpse of King George
and Queen Mary as the golden
coaches rolled by Ten battalions of
guardsmen paraded for the occasion
and were massed around the house OF
lords through which their majesties
passed to the robing rooms and thence
to the throne. In the latter they were
greeted by the peers, peeresseS and
various officials, whose rich costumes
and jewels completed the spectacle
When the king lead the queen up
the dais and both were seated, mem
bers bf the house of commons moved
in from an adjoining chamber and
grouped themselves about the oppo-
site end of the great hall. The king
then read the speech from manu-
script.
Dali Eireann Meets
Dublin, Dec. 14.-(By the Associat-
cd Press 1.-The question of ratifica
tion or rejection of the Anglo-Irish
agreement by the Dali Eireann has
been postponed to Thursday, when a
public session will be held and depu-
ties will debate the matter and come
to decision. This was decided upon
at today's meeting of the Dali, called
to consider the agreement.
President de Valera, who opened
the proceedings, explained at some
length the circumstances under which
the plenipotentiaries of the Dali, who
met the British representatives for
the negotiations in London had been
appointed.
On October T. he said, the plenipo-
.,
the most important TO which was that
the complete text of the treaty should
he submitted to Dublin and a reply
awaited That, he said, had not been
done. 1t was always understood, also,
he declared, that ratification of the
Dali was also required.
Referring to question with regard
to the conduct of the negotiations, he
said the question must be considered
on its merits and not influenced by
the mere appearance of a difference
of opinion in the cabinet nor any ex-
traneous matters.
After Mr.. de Valera had concluded,
Arthur Griffith, head of the delega-
tion to London, who with Michael Col
lins and the other plenipotentiaries
signed the peace agreement, rose to
ask whether it was alleged the pleni-
potentiaries had exceeded their au-
thority. apt
Mr.. de Valera explained that the
treaty was signed in the small hours
of the morning after alterations had
been made which the cabinet had no:
seen. To that extent, he said, in
structions had not been followed
Michael Collins then asked that ths
final document agreed 1Ol IA Dublin by
the United Dali cabinet should be put
side by side With helaocdinent signed
,in London by the plenipotentiarie
They did not sign that document az
treaty, he said. but on, the under,
standing that al the signsrs wovit
recommend It 70 the pFsjl pFsjl for scesTp T.
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