The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1921-12-20
OPPOSE De VALERA
IN OPEN DEBATE
Griffith and Collins Champion
Free State Agreement.
MAY VOTE ON PACT TODAY
Friends of Treaty Urge Its Adoption,
While De VaIera's Followers Holly
Denounce Ii.

Z
While De VaIera's Followers Holly
Denounce 1t.
Dublin, Dec. 20.-The dali cream
Republican parliamenD began con-
sidering of motions for and against
ratification of the AnglO-IriSh treaty,
which would create the Irish Free
State
There was every Indication the
speech making at the public session
would continue through today.
One of the most persistent report;
was an agreement for disposal OF the
treat. had already been reached and
the public debate was mainly for the
purpose of putting on record the rea-
sons for objections TO the settlement.
Adoption of the treaty was moved
by Arthur Griffith, Sim Fein founder.
foreign minister in the dali cabinet,
and Il >igner of the London agreement
as chief of the Irish peace delegation,
Commandment McKeon, County Long
ford one of the best known of the
Irish regulation army leaders. second
ed the motion, saying: THE Irish pPn-
pie want substance. not shadows"
Ireland under the status granted her
by the treaty would have the same
right as Canada to send an amhaSSa-
dor to Washington, according to Mich
,"l Collins, Sim Fein finance minis
ter. army commander and peace dele
gate
Mr.. Collins began with an attack
on the critics of his action in signing
the agreement. 1t had been suggested,
he said. he had been hluf1ed into sign
ing the treaty.
''The BritiSh.' he continued. put
up Il pretty good bluff in the last two
years here. and l did not break down
before that bluff"
Speaking of the economic penptra-
ton of Ireland by England. Mr.. Col
Inns said:
THAT is a thing we must stop if
Gaelic civilization is to survive. ana
that X what the treaty stops"
As for his part in the negotiations.
he said he had known as a represent
tative of the fighting forces in Ireland
his country would he offered better
terms if he went to London than if
he were not there.
Argument arose aS TO whether the
document introduced by EamOnn de
Valera. the Republican president. at
the private meetings Of the dali last
week, should he introduced at the pub
lie session. 1t developed the docu-
ment was an alternative peace agree
ment by Mr. de Valera.
After heated discussion. the speak
er waived debate. and Mr.. Griffith
moved the ratification of the treaty
Mr.. Griffith said this was not q
question of the mere rights of the
people: it was a question of the lives
and fortunes of the people of Ireland.
He was not going to hide from the
Irish people what Mr.. de Valera's al
tentative proposal would mean.
"NOt once did We demand recogni-
ton of the Irish republic, knowing 1t
would have been impossible to pro-
cure it, he said, telling of the peace
conference at London.
the treaty would bring to Ireland. He
read a letter which had been receiv-
ed from the British prime minister,
David Lloyd George, early in the ne
gotfations, saying the government pro-
posed making Ireland co-equal with
other british dominions. and to pro-
cure for Ireland a place in the League
Of No 10 lnf% 81. ,
the withdrawal of British naval and
military forces from Ireland when
the agreement was ratified.
Mr.. Griffith said the oath of allie
glance agreed upon was one (which
any IriShman can take with honor"
He ended by urging the dali to rati-
fly his resolution and the Irish people
to confirm it.
Mr.. de Valera then moved the re-
lection of the treaty.
''If King George came over to open
the Irish parliament" said Mr.. de
Valera, you would see black flags in
the streets of Dublin"
He likened the treaty to the act of
union, saying it would lead to end
less strife.
Summing up, he asserted the treaty
was entirely inconsistent with Ire
lands position, and if it were ratified
Ireland would continue subservient to
England.
Cries of mo" followed this declara-
ton.
If IA provisional government were
set up by Griffith and Collins in Dub
lin Castle. continued Mr.. de Valera.
it would be regarded by the people
as a usurpatiOn. They have been chos-
en- by British power as the authority
in Ireland, he added
The Republican president asked if
the dali representatives had been
GLARS" when they said the people at
the election had demanded a republic
He was against the treaty, he assert
ed. because it did not reconcile Irish
national aspirations with association
with Great Britain, and it did not
satisfy the national sentiment.
Il am against this treaty because it
will not end the conflict between Great
Britain and Ireland" he said. 81 am
against the treaty because l am for
peace, not war" He Argued the Irish
people would never be recOnciled to
the agreement