Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-12-16
ULSTER LOSES
bONAR LAW IN
TREATY FIGHT
Had Been Counted on
by North Ireland to
Oppose Agreement.
Vote Expected Friday
in Both Chambers of
English Parliament.

London, Dec. 15.-(By The
Associated Press. 1.-The event
of the day in connection with
. the Irish settlement, was the
decision Thursday Of Andrew
Bonar Law, unionist, former
government leader in the
house Of commons and one of
the strong men on the Ulster
side, to accept the treaty, and,
if not to invite Ulster to come
into the settlement, at all
events to counsel acceptance
of the boundary commission,
which the Marquis Of London
derry, in the house of lords,
limited Ulster might reject.
Mr.. Bonar Law had been confidently
relied upon by the 'die hards" if he
spoke at all. to support Lord Carson, in
opposing the treaty, or at the worst,
to remain neutral. His speech had
taken much of the force out Of the
Carsonite attack, and is considered to
have insured ratification of the treaty
by an overwhelming majority in the
house of commons.
Had he opposed the treaty, there
would likely have been. an acquisition
to the forces of the "hards" estimated
at 40 to 50 who expected to vote
against ratification.
Vote Comes Fri.iay
al +r> b., -,
both houses of parliament Friiay after
in the debate is likely to be Lord Birk-
enhead's reply to Lord Carson, the two
men having been closely associated on
the listers anti-home rule campaign.
Winston Spencer Churchill, secretary
for the colonies, and Herbert II. As
quith, in the house of commons, warm
ly defended the treaty, the former pre-
mier, however, with possibly a remem-
brance of his own fate in his efforts
to settle the Irish question, uttering
q warning to beware of 'the malignant
genius lowering over all Irish affairs"
Viscount Bryce, in the house of lords,
made a striking contribution to the de-
bate He admitted that the treaty was
imperfect in form, but contended that
England was great enough to try the
experiment of throwing the RESPONSE
bility of its own administration on Ire
land.
Walt Dali Decision
When the commons adjourned Thurs
day night, Austen Chamberlain, the
government leader, in reply to various
questions. admitted that it was undesr-
able that parliament should be prorogu-
ed before the result of the discussions
at Dublin was known; therefore, it
might be necessary that the session be
carried into next week. But amid loud
cheers, he declined to admit that the
house ought to wait for the Dublin de-
cision before voting on the question of
ratification. On the contrary, he
thought the house ought to express it's
view without waiting for the Dali
Eireann, therefore the house would sit
Friday evening as long as might be
necessary.
The Dali Eireann is making little
progress at Dublin: it again spent the
day in secret session, discussing con-
troversial points and details, and the
discussions will be continued Friday.
There is no indication when a decision
will be taken.
Sir james Craig's official rejection
Of the treaty has now been published.
In his letter the Ulster premier de-
clares that all the governments pledges
to Ulster have been violated and that
it seems that Ulster will not be able
ever to enter the Irish Free State. Sir
James, however, is coming to London.
probably to consult the prime minister
again, and it is possible that he had
knowledge of Mr.. Bonar Laws atti-
tude, which may have an important
sequel.