The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-20
Sim Fein Chief Makes First
Concession on Treaty.
Goes to Vote Should He Get
Dali Majority.
BRITISH HOLD IRISH FORCE
New Turn of Affairs and Riots
Halt Withdrawal.
Irish President Loses Ground by
His Own War Talk.

Dublin, Dec 2O-Eamonn de va
/ lera. announced in Dahl Eireann that
in the event he succeeds in obtaining
a majority of the votes against the
Irish peace treaty he is prepared TO
submit it to a plebiscite of the Irish
people.
A private session of the Dali Fire
ann held late this afternoon was de-
voted to discussion of the position and
resources of the Irish republican army
in the event the Anglo-Irish treaty
now pending before the Dali. was re-
jected, it was understood after the
conclusion of the session.
THE people will break this treaty
within a year." he said. we should
throw this treaty at England as sub
version of Sim Fein principles. We
have become West Bfitons after a
seven hunGred-year fight
When Dali Eireann convened to-
day, Eamonn de Valera announced his
intentioi- to present his motion for
adoption of alternative proposals.
when the Dali is ready to vote for rati-
fication of the treaty brought back
from London. He did not Indicate
what these proposals would be.
DeValera declared that ratification
of the treaty was beyond any powers
which the Dali possess The Dail was
elected during a state of warfare he
tween the British crown and Sim Fem
In Sim Fein quarters it is report
ed that arrangene ents have been made
for complete amnesty. including pris-
oners who have been sentenced 10
| death. when the Irish peace treaty is
ratified by Dali Eireann. Large num-
bers of prisoners have been released
already under the decree of amnesty
recently granted by King George.
Belfast Troops Use Bayonets.
Belfast. Dec. 2o.-British soldiers
cleared Falls road of looters and snip
ers at the point of the bayonet today.
1t WAS a regular battle charge with
cold steel.
Sniping became general during the
day and practically all the streets
were unsafe for traffic.
Looting broke out and many stores
were plundered.
Police and soldiers broke into
houses and arrested many snipers
who were firing from windows and
housetops.
withdrawal Is Suspended.
Queenstown. Dec. 20-Removal ef
the -itish troops which was to have
been begun today has been suspended
and they will not be Withdrawn unless
the treaty is ratified, it was stated
here.
British Not Impressed.
London, Dec. 20. (by the A. P.)-
The first day of public debate in the
Dali on Arthur Griffith's motion to
ratify the Irish peace treaty made a
somewhat unfavora bic impression
upon the majority of the English cor
respondents in Dublin their dispatches
indicate. hut none of them takes the
view that the treaty will be rejected.
Several record their belief that 1t
will be ratified, aitho they expect the
majority to be small. while others alb
stain from any sort Of prediction.
General emphasis is laid on the bit
terness displayed by Eamonn de Va
, lera and other opponents Of ratifica
! ton and upon the similar feeling
shown in the arguments by Griffith
Michael Collins and their followers.
Opinion differs as to the possible ef-'
feet upon the Dali members of the
speeches delivered by their leaders.
On one hand Mr.. De Valera is repre-
sented as having spoken as a man WIN
| knew himself defeated: on the othe-
! hand it is declared that his inpas-
stoned oratory swung the pendulunl
! toward his side. His attitude in ad-
vocating "a policy which auId lead
serious reflection on his qualification
for leadership of the Irish nation.
The editorial writer's generally. hoyv-
ever. profess confidence that the
treaty will be ratified. The Daits
Telegraph refuses TO believe that TIE
Dali is foolish enough to reject ths
solid boon of dominion status in favor
Of the fantastic and impossible ideal
OF a republic.
Long Debate Favorable.
The Westminster Gazette thinks
that THE longer the debate lasts the
more certain and decisive will be tho
drift back from yyords.to reaIities's and
refuses even to doubt the acceptancs
OF the treaty. 1t declares:
What we are witnessing Is not 4
struggle upon which hangs the issue
of peace or war but the beginning OF
the breaking UP of the Sim Fein into
parties" and believes that a group Of
irreconcilable secess. .onfsts will de-
yelop. as was the case in South Africa
Some Of the correspondents predict
that. whatever happens in the matter
Of 4 decision on the treaty, Ireland f.
committed TO q period Of violent po-
litical strife. while others seem dislu-
clined to attach overnuch Importance
to the seriousness of the rival
speeches. intimating that allowance
must be made for the Irish tempera-
ment.
All the writer's dwell upon the sen.
sation created by the statement OF
Robert c. Barton. one Of the Irish sig
natories Of the treaty. that Premier
Lloyd George had threatened war II
the agreement was not signed COM
ment in the morning nevspa pe-s
sharply scores Mr.. de Valera for op-
posing what IL is cOuteHded he must
know is the wish Of the large ma
jority Of the Irish people.