New-York tribune., 1921-12-23
Dali Adjotlrn,s
Treaty Debate
Until Jan. 3
tcontlnuqd from paae ons,

consult their constituencies, and the
prevailing belief is that this will
strengthen the ratification forces, be-
cause on all sides the people are ap
parently in favor of this agreement
rather than more war. Collins, how
ever, is the only one Of the leaders
of the ratification movement whose
spirits are still buoyanr. His co-work-
ers appear haggard and tired from the
long fight.
The speeches to-day ranged from the
brief remarks of P J. Maloney, who de-
scribed himself as an average, decent
lrishman,' and the London pact as
that damned treaty" to the extended
remarks of William Leroiste. of Cork.
In defense of the treaty, and the long
and fierce attack on it by John Mclntee.
MacNeill also left the speakers chair
long enough to defend the treaty ably
and TO draw from De Valera the nature
of the oath which he took as the leader
OF Sim Fein.
When | took the oath as president" "
said Dc Valera in reply to a pointed
remark, 81 told the Dali in secret ses-
sion that | would regard it as my duty
to do the best / could for the Irish
nation, and I would not be bound or
fetterod in any way
Woman Denounces Mulcahy
Mrs. Tom Clarke, whose husband
and brother were executed after the
Easter rebellion of 1916. took the floor
at the morning session urging rejec-
tion of the agreement. She denounced!
it soundly, saying she would despair of
Ireland obtaining absolute freedom so
long as the chief OF military opera-
tions. Richard Mulcahy, appeared as
an advocate of peace. She recalled
the fact that he had quit his studies
at medical school to assume leading
part in the republican army, ana shc
deplored his predictions now Of prog
ress in Ireland under this treaty.
Mrs Clarke declared herself an n
reconcilable republican. She insisted
that if she approved this treaty she
would be untrue to her oath of al
legiance to the Irish republic as we'll
as to her husband, whom she saw for
the last time just before he went pe-
fore firing squad. She quoted this
message from him: "Tell the Irish
people that | and my comrades believe
that we have saved the soul of Ire
land. We believe she will never lie
down again until she has gained alb
solutc freedom"
Mulcahy, a thin, sunken-faced youth
with heavy crop of light hair. won
derfully keen eyes and a sharp clear
voice, upheld the treaty, but he ad-
mitted that he did so because he saw
no alternative He made no great pre-
tension regarding what the pact would
accomplish. He seemed rather to
apologize for it, to express sorrow and
disappointment over it, and Go admit
that in his opinion It's signing signified
Ireland's defeat He would escape. if
he could, but asked what other road
there was.
Political Chaos in Any Event
II personally see no alternative to
this treaty. he said. I'VE are told that
the alternative is war. / don't know
We shall have political chaos in Ire
land with or without war. We are not
in position to drive the enemy from our
ports. We have nothing to gain but
q fairly good-sized police fight. We
have suffered defeat, but surely this
is not the hour for quarreling among
ourselves"
John Moyleh, stanch republican
and famous fighter, vigorously attacked
the treaty.
We've heard much about heads up
and something about hands up but
say Hands off the Irish republic!'" he
cried. "If Lloyd George wants war he
must declare war. All we ask is tht
right to carry on