Evening journal., 1921-08-16
PARATION
PLEA MADE
IN IRELAND'S
PARLIAMENT
(Continued From First Page.)
demands for inde-

uncompromising demands for inde-
pendence.
The Sim Fein leader quoted Lloyd
George himself. and ex-President
Wilson on tho rights OF small
nations
1--WE mean to die II necessary for
the principle, he exclaimed.
"Only on the basis OF our recogni-
tion as an Irish republic will We deal
with any foreign country whatever"
Because the British proposls
were unjust we sent the reply as we
did, De Valera said.
The session adjourned after his
speech There will be another open
meeting Wednesday and a closed
sitting Thursday at which the British
proposals will be further discussed.
The Sim Fein Parliament met
here upon rejection or acceptance OF
tho British peace offer-or the ref
orenco Of the question which means
peace or war for Ireland TO a plebes-
cite.
"The election of this very Parlia-
mont itself was practically plebes-
cite" De Valera said in the uncom-
prisiag speech with which he opened
today's session. "The Dail's election
was an expression Of the will of the
Irish nation"
Parliament met at 1920 p. m.
All open spaces about the Mansion
House were massed with people Of
fering great difficulties for the brig
ade of Irish Republican troops
which which had been thrown about
the building.
Rain was falling as Parliament
convened but the crowds we're heed
less Of the discomfort in their JOY
at being near at the first open ses-
sion OF the Daii Eireann.
Professor John Mcneil was un-
animously elected speaker OF the
session. Sean OKeily, Sim Fein
representative at Paris, was elected
deputy speaker
DUBLIN. Aug 1.-THE pessimism
over the Irish situation which
in some quarters in Dublin had
Z reached almost the point of hope
lossness has yielded to reasonable
optimism when the program for the
meeting today Of the Dali Eireann
was made public.
Instead of Immediately taking up
the problem Of peace or war, the
Sim Fein parliament will spend at
least two days in dealing with the
formalities Incident to the opening
Of the new legislative body, thus
providing an opportunity for many
things to happen behind the scenes.
All ireland Is eager for deci-
sion by the parliament on the Britt
ish governments terms, whether IL
be acceptance of them, the express
sion OF a desire for further negotia-
tions. or rejection. IN order to re-
move the tension which exists.
The belief prevails that rejection
would mean resumption on an IN
tcnsified scale when the truce ends,
OF the guerrilla warfare that for so
long terrified the country.
Dublin Castle officials view the
proloneation OF the sessions OF the
Dali Eireann in various lights one
section OF the British government
forces expresses the fear that delay
IN Immediately acting on the trou-
blesome questions al issue may pro-
yoke the military. which Is declared
to be not hopeful OF a favorable set
tiement. into making preparations
for eventualities.
The other section. however, adj
vances the opinion that the longer
the members Of the Dali Eireann
are in debate the greater will be
tho chance for acceptance OF the
imperial governments terms. These
persons expect to see a bright spot
In a prolonged session. arguing that
one day would be sufficient 10 end
the negotiations IL the Republican
cabinet so desired
Earnestness was depicted in the
faces Of all the men as they gather.
cd for an informal meeting Of th'
members Of the parliament which
was held during the course OF IN,
day. Many Of those who had beer
away from Dublin for a long tint
met in small groups and discusse,
ne situation with members NOR
intimate with its latest phases thar
they.
Captain Harrison. secretary O
the Irish Dominion League, ex
pressed the opinion that the Dai
AtI+"Nh must REJECT lnc govern
ments proposals looking to peac
in Ireland and declared the ques
tion must be referred to the Iris
people.
Tt is just as well to face the fact
at the very outset and recognize tina
Ireland has been invited to max
the maximum Of concessions" sal
Captain Harrison.
He asked what chance the Sin
Fein leaders would have against
skillful and experienced negotiate
like Premier Lloyd George II. b
waving claim TO sovereign inds
pendence. Ireland lost about s5 pc
cent Of her bargaining power.
Eamonn De Valera, the Irish r,
publican leader, has been inundate
by telegrams. mostly from Irish r,
publicans. advising him not to ri,
In to the British government on n
peace proposals
tIf they (the Irish Republican,
acnept the governments terms
asked one member Of the Irish r.
publican army. what have we be,