Evening journal., 1921-12-14
de VaIera'S Charge
That Delegates En-
ceeded authority In
Signing is ChdI-
Ienged BY Collins,
Leader of Sim Fein
Army-WouId Meet
Men Who Call Him
"Traitor''
DISCUSS PACTN
OPEN SESSION

DUBLIN. Dec. IA bitter clash
between Eamonn De Valera and Mi
chael- Collins marked the opening OF
the Dali Eireann TO consider the
Anglo-Irish treaty today.
"The Irish peace delegates at Lon
don exceeded their instructions" DE
Valera charged.
Collins. leader OF the Sim Fein
army. who signed the peace pact,
leaped TO the floor and cried:
some men call me traitor L
will meet them, anywhere. now ~
IN the pasti'
II was during discussion on the
motion TO hold a secret session that
the clash between De Valera, Col
Inns and Arthur Grihith occurred.
De Valera began the argument by
challenging the right OF the peace
delegates to have signed the Lon
don treaty. He contended the pact
should have been sent TO Dublin for
final decision before II was signed.
"The delegates only we're empow-
cred to negotiate" he said.
In the midst OF this argument
Grlhith. who also signed the London
pact. jumped up and asked;
rs there any suggestion that the
delegates exceeded their instruc.
tions2"
The argument proceeded heatediy
until Collins took the floor and chal-
lenged the Irish President" His
eyes were belliEerent and ne waved
his first in the air significantly.
The other delegates sat grimly in
their chairs watching the clash with
out any sign Of emotion.
Il have been called traitor" Col
Inns cried. Let the Irish people
decide whether I am or not"
Collins read his credentials as a
peace delegate showing that he and
the others we're empowered 10 con-
clude an agreement. He declared
they had not signed the document
as a treaty but only with the under
standing that they would recon-
mend acceptance.
Speaker Mcneil banged his gavel
formally opening the session at few
minutes before IL a. m. Three mem
bers were absent beside the -four
Unionists who have never taken part
After the usual formalities the
Dali settled down 10 work wher
Doctor White of Cork arose and
moved that the meeting be secret,
1T Is inadvisa.ble TO hold an oper
meeting in view Of our differences
I he declared.
Before the decision to hold
temporary secret session was made
De Valera explained his contention
"The delegates were only empow
cred TO negotiate" he said.
After the negotiations we're con
cluded the matter should have bee
left TO the cabinet to decide.
Moreover he said the delegate
were ordered TO submit tho text O
the treaty to Dublin and await a re
ply before signing.
The Dali decided 10 hold a publ
session at IL A. NJ. yesterday to dis
cuss the treaty. This decision wa
reached after It had been agreed I
hold a preliminary secret meetin
this morning
Opposing tn motion for a secrf
session, Arthur Grmth, who signf
the London pact. arose and said;
"1s there any suggestion that IN
delegate sexceeded thinr instruc
. tions in signing the treaty."
De Valera. who had the floor eS
planned:
zone person says one thing whil
+ another says another
Collens answered grimly;
! IT oppose private session.
want an omen debate 10 show wha
I really happened"
; The Dali began a secret plenar
: session. hut It was decided TO mol
p a public meeting later for the pur
pose OF discussing the peace pact
nnTT L