Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-12-20
Nothing Tangible Has De-
yeIoped to Indicate How
Members VIII Vote on
Ratifying the Treaty,
RELATIVE STRENGTH
CAN'T BE ESTIMATED
Sim Feiners viii Not Even
7ard a Guess as to
Side VIII Event
y ! Gain a Majority,

: bin, Dec. 19 (by the Assoclat-
6 ! Press.)-When the dali eireann
'tourned tonight after two lengthy
, jublic sessions devoted to debate,
nothing tangible had developed to
indicate how members would vote
on ratifying the treaty setting up
the Irish free state.
Deputy Duggan, Mrs. Sheehy
/ iSkeffington, Tom Johnson, secre-
tary of the Irish liberal movement,
and Colonel Maurice Moore, when
interviewed, declared it was inn
possible to make any estimate OF
the relative strength of those favor
ing and those opposing the treaty.
or to hazard a guess as to which
side would eventually gain a ma
jority.
The uncertainty of even proml-
nent leaders regarding the result
was reflected on one side in MI
chael Collins declaration that he
might never again address the
dali, and on the other by Charles
Burgess pointed statement that he
was still in office"
The proceedings are certain 70
last through tomorrow, as many
minor members have indicated
their intention Of speaking. Some
think that the debate may even
continue throughout the week.
A feature was the attempt by
the peace delegates to deprive Mr..
de Valera of his claim of adher-
ence to the republican principle by
demanding publication of his plan
for alternate settlement, which, It
was revealed had been submitted
at last weeks private sessions,
The argument was that the nation
had a right to know what were the
two policies they were expected TO
decide on, and that as a matter OF
fact, neither was republican.
Rcsists Publication.
Mr.. de Valera resisted publica-
tlon Of his alternative plan, ex-
planning it was put forward only In
an attempt to secure unanimity IN
the dali, and was now irrelevant.
He promised, however, later to in
dicate in his own way the alterna-
tive proposal.
Mr.. de Valera, Griffith, Collins.
Childers and several other promi-
nent men, in the councils of the
party spoke today, but it is gener-
ally agreed that the most sensa-
tional and most impressive contri-
button was Robert Barton's narra-
tive of the circumstances under
which he and other delegates were,
according to his statement, forced
to sign the treaty without referring
it back to the cabinet.
Oath to the Republic.
Mr.. Barton said his oath to the
republic was the most sacred bond
on earth, and he had broken 1t as
the lesser of two alternative OUT
RACES forced upon him, and be-
cause he was compelled to choose
Immediately.
Mr.. Griffith, he explained, had
repeatedly sought to have the
terms referred back to the dali. but
this, Premier Lloyd George mega
tived. The signature Of every
member of the delegation was nee
essary, or war would follow, and
the premier gave the delegation
until 10 o'clock to make up their
minds.
Griffith, Collins and Duggan
were, he said, for the signature,
but he and Gavan Duffy were
against II. He held out that that
placed the responsibility for war
on him; so he signed it rather than
Txir pnnn1a
without consultation.
"And So" he exclaimed. "I now
fulfill my undertaking and recon-
mend to you this treaty"
Loud Applause followed his
speech, coming partly from the
opponents of the treaty and partly
from the supporters of the treaty.
Mr.. Duffy is expected to speak
tomorrow, and his attitude is eag-
erly awaited.
biggest Oratorical Effort.
The biggest oratorical effort was
that of Mr.. Griffith, whose speech
was directed towards justifying his
signature, and was especially no
table for the Importance he at
tached to the opportunity given by
the new constitution for develop
ing Irish resources and preventing
further penetration by England
into Irish business through the ac-
QUESTION of Irish banks, railroads,
shipping and factories.
The main objections to the trea-
ty revealed in the speeches of Mr..
de Valera and Erskine Childers,
were the absorption of Ireland in
the British empire, the belief in
continued British control through
the governor general and military
and naval control
The choice of Commandant John
Joseph McKeown, TO second Mr..
Griffith's motion for ratification.
was resented In some quarters as
an attempt to exploit McKeown's
military record with the Irish re-
publican army in favor of the trea-
ty. He is a great popular hero.
Women members were to
10 ayfopt nc Tho frootu