The Mena weekly star., 1921-12-08
SINN FEN AND
 l ENGLAND AGREE
Peace Plan Settlement on Heels of What Seemed Certain Collapse of Negotiations-0ath of Alleg-
 lance Agreed Upon.


 London, Dec. 6.--England and Ire land awoke today from a troubled sleep of despondency over the Irish situation to learn the joyous news of sensational and wholly unexpected agreement reached between the Eng fish and Irish conferees in today's small hours.
 The negotiations for a settlement were considered yesterday to have definitely collapsed and the compro- mise achieved in Premier Lloyd Georges sombre little home in Down. ing street after a night-long struggle 1 seems likely to be chronicled as the most momentous event in the his- tory of Anglo-Irish relations.
 No Turning Back. While the agreement must still be submitted to the Dali Eireann and the British parliament for ratifica- ton, the agreement binds both sides to recommend it to their parliaments. 1t IS formal detailed and conclusive document and it's terms prevent the necessity for further negotiation.
 The consent of Ulster is not re- quired to make the new Irish agree ment effective. She is given the op- tion of withdrawal in a month, re- verting then to her present status within territory to be decided by a boundary commission.
 A provisional government will ba formed in Southern Ireland while the British parliament is considering tho agreement.
 On the question of allegiance q form of words was found which satis- he'd both the government and the Sim Fein. The recognition of Ireland as an independent state is said to be clear.
 The principle at last adopted by the government is said to have been that of trusting Ireland fully and giving her full power of decision without hampering her by conditions.
 The Vital Articles.
 London, Dec. 6.--The articles of agreement in the treaty between Great Britain and Ireland' as the agreement reached last night is des- ignated, provides in article " that tho oaths to be taken by the members of the parliament of the Irish Free State shall be in the following form:
 "I do solemnly swear true faith
 and allegiance to the constitution of
 of the Irish Free State as by laws
 established and that will be faith-
 ful to His Majesty, George V. and
 his heirs and successors by law in
 virtue of the common citizenship
 of Ireland with Great Britain and
 her adherence to and membership
 Of the group of nations forming the
 British commonwealth of nations"
 This appears in the text of the agreement officially given out to- night. Other of the articles of the agreement are textually as follows: Article VII, the government of the Irish Free State shall afford to His Majesty's imperial force Gal in time of peace such harbor and other facilities as are indicated in the an- mex, or such ether facilities as may from time to time be agreed between the British government and the gov ernment of the Irish Free State, and (bl in time of war or of strained re- lations with a foreign power such harbor and other facilities as the British government may require for the purposes of the defense, as afore- said.
 Article VIII, with a view to se- curing observance of the principle of international limitation of armament of the government of the Irish Free State establishes and maintains A military defense force the establish ment thereof shall not exceed in size such proportion of the military estab- hshments, maintained in Great Brit ain as that which the population of Ireland bear to the population to Great Britain"
 Article VI, until an arrangement has been made by the British and Irish governments whereby the Irish Free State undertakes her own coast al defense by sea, the coastal defense of both of Great Britain and Ireland shall be undertaken by His Majesty's imperial forces but this shall not prevent the construction of maintenance by the government of the Irish Free State of such vessels as are necessary for the protection of the revenue or the fisheries. The foregoing provisions of this article shall be reviewed at a conference of representatives of the British and Irish governments to be held at the expiration of five years from the date hereof with view to the undertakinp by Ireland of share in her own coastal defense"