The Washington herald., 1921-12-23
Long Delay Wins Support
For Foes of Treaty
With England.
DECISION PUT OFF
OVER CHRISTMAS
Richard Mulcahy Appeals
For Settlement as
Best Possible.

DCC----
drsrn-out debate in Dali Eireann
has imperiled the chances for the
radncation of the Anglo-Irish
treaty. Although tie best indica-
v tions still point to a majority for
approval, 1t will undoubtedly be
much smaller than if the vote was
taken a week ago.
At the end Of this mornings ses-
sion one of the most careful politi-
clans of Ireland. who has been
watching the progress closely and
who is in close touch with both
parties and knows their estimates,
said:
IF the vote is taken by the depu-
ties" he said. "the result will be
doubtful. II by constituencies, the
treaty wins"
Follow English Custom
The meaning of this is that rve
deputies sit in Dali as represent
tives of two constituencies each,
four OF whom are favorable to rati-
hcation, thus making eight votes on
the count Perhaps 1 should ex-
plain that under the English law
and practice, by which the Dali
elected its members. a man may run
for as many seats as he likes, and
tf he Is elected to more than one.
he chooses the one that he will
represent The Dali members, not
foreseelnG the serious legislative
work, did not trouble to choose, but
retained the two seats.
The feature of the morning ses-
sion was a speech by Richard Null
cahey. the famous chief of stafr OF
the Irish Republican army, who is
(regarded by the British as the
brains Of the whole Irish effort. He
is slight, fair-haired young man
of indeterminate appearance. He
r. a medical student and has none
OF the outward swagger or at
tributes generally associated with
dghsing saen He talks In aHfow,
even voice, and interlards his
speeches with classical references
and quotations most of which lit
erafly are Greek to the greater part
Of his audience His speech is emil
rently moderate, sane and business
like.
Make. Moderate speech.
He began by eliminating all per-
sonalttfes. decaring what he was
booking for was not argument, but
alternatives.
None of US wants the treaty with
t,s crown. with its surrender OF
harbors, or with its partition. but
we have been offered nothing else,
a. said 'I see no other alternative
70 acceptance, no other solid spot
Of ground where the Irish people
can set political foot. We are told
that the alternative is war. 1 do
not know II it is war or not. but
do know il is chaos.
"AIl the feeling Of my mind and
all the instinct in my bones is
against accepting the English King,
but I am convinced whether we do
or not. ir will not be very long be-
Sor. we show that the sovereign
Fights in Ireland rest in the Irish
people. ".s-----
says Cause Hopeless.
4 Mr.. Mulcahey then administered
a salutsry cold doche on the old
men and women who have been
talking for a renewal of war.
We are not in possession of
forces, military or otherwise, to
drive the enemy from our ports" he
said. we have not been able to
drive him from anything more than
a fairly good-sized police barracks.
This treaty gives us more power
than could any military force we
could possibly raise to secure our
ultimate freedom and equality with
friendship with our old enemy. The
only thing the President offers us
In return Is a scheme which he
thinks the English people will see
as Just and grant US. These pro-
ceedinxs are not helpful, they are
not finding a way out.
II do feel that we have suffered
defeat, but in that defeat We have
got powers for the Irish people such
that II this Dali passed away and
all of our organizations in Ireland
died the Irish people would arise
again with untrammeled power in
their hands to release to the full
our highest aspirations"
Another Fighter speaks.
{ After Mr.. Mulcahey was finished.
the antiratifers put up another
fighting man, Sean Moylan, from
North Cork, to oppose. He de-
elared that no matter what hap
p.ned the republicans in the army
would fight on.
Next to Mr.. Mulcahey's, the most
Impressive speech was made by NA.
Tom Clarke, the young widow Of an
old Fenian VINO was executed IN 1910.
1t was short and digniffed and well
delivered. She opposed the treaty.
telling the story Of her last visit to
her husband before hts death.
The years had slipped away from
bim," she said. "apd his eyes were
flashing victory in every line OF him.
Tell the Irish people he said, that
and my comrades believe that we
have saved our Ireland We believe
that she will never lie down again
urtil she has gained absolute free
Som.' and though there was sorrow
In my heart, gioried in him and |
every man VINO has carried on the |
dRht since have sorrow in my |
heart now. but L do not despair,
never shall"
Speaks for RatiAeatfos.
A reasoned speech for ratification |
was made by Prof. Michael Hayes.
Of the National University. and a
whiriing denunciation by ]. J. O'Kelly,
et Louth. the minister Of education,
who declared that II 1000 resolutions