Great Falls tribune., 1921-12-07
Century-Old Quarrel Is
Ended BY Signing Of
British-Irish Treaty.
Pact Will Be Subject
to Ratification by
English Parliament.

London, Dec. 6.-By The
Associated Press The CEN
Ituries-old quarrel between Eng
land and Ireland was ended,
as had been fervently hoped,
| in the small hours Of Tuesday
morning by the signature in
the premier's cabinet room of
"a treaty between Great
Britain and Ireland, consisting
!, of IL articles, giving ireland
1.-THE title of Irish Free State
and the same constitutional
status as Canada, Australia,
and other overseas dominions.
The question of allegiance. which up
| to the last moment threatened to
wreck the negotiations, was surrnonnted
by permitting the members of the Irish
parliament to swear allegiance to the
constitution of the Irish Free State aud
be faithful to his majesty the king
Subject to Ratification
The treaty has yet to run the gaunt-
let of the Ulster government and of the
imperial parliament. The imperial par
lament has been summoned to meet
December ii, and will be opened in
state by the king, who has taken the
closest personal interest in the Irish
negotiations since he practically insti-
gated them when he opened the. Ulster
parliament.
Approval by the imperial parliament
is foregone conclusion, as the govern
ment has an overwhelming majority in
the house OF commons favoring the
Irish policy, and the action of the Brit
ish representatives in reaching the
ly endorsed by the cabinet. The posi-
ton of Ulster is less certain Evidence
comes from Belfast Tuesday night that
the treaty will be subjected to the most
searching examination before receiving
assent. and doubtless many modifica-
tions will be proposed.
Lloyd George Praised
The king FASTENED to send the pre-
mier a telegram congratuIating him on
the success of the negotiations and de-
claring 4 am overjoyed to hear this
splendid news" The king win come to
London purposely Wednesday to pre-
side over the privy council to approve
the proclamation summoning parlia-
ment, as the constitution requires six
days notice by royal proclamation.
The treaty was signed by a1 the
members Of the British and Irish dele
cations participating in the negotiations
the Irish delegates signing their Gaelic
names.
Ireland is treated as single entity
in the provisions of the treaty, with,
special clauses providing against the
possibility that Ulster should refuse ac-
quiesence in the settlement, in which
case the government of Ireland, 1920
will remain in force so far as the north
ern parliament Is concerned. but with
the stipulation that special commits
sion shall determine new boundaries
for northern Ireland.
Provisions also are made for the CO.
operation Of the two parliaments +
providing certain safeguards in the
event of Ulster remaining out Of the
new free state. Neither parliament,
however, will be permitted under the
treaty to make laws endowing any par
ticular religion, or to impose any relix-
ious disability.
Allowed Military Foroe
The treaty looks to Ireland's UNDER
taking in the future its own costal de-
fenses and provides that ireland shall
in time of war give the British forces
necessary harbor and other facilities.
1t further, by providing against inter-
national limitation of armaments, rec
ognizes the Irish Free States right to
maintain its own military defense
force
Premier Lloyd George is the recip-
lent of universal congratulations for
having successfully rescued the nego-
tioations from what appeared to be
complete impasse. The general belief.
however, is that Lord Rirkenhead, who
came to the governments rescue when
the question of renewal Of the Anglo
Japanese treaty had reached critical
stage. is this time responsible for the
formula overcoming the allegiance diff
Guilty.
Austen Chamberlain, who is leader
of. the government in the house OF
commons and Of the Unionist party.
speaking at Birmingham expressed the
conviction that before Christmas,
peace and good will would be estab-
lished between the ''parent races of !,
the British f6mmonwealfh, and he
go