Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-12-15
LONDON TREATY
IS DEBATED BY
PARLIAMENT IN
SOUTH IRELAND
De Valera Claims the Irish
Delegation Exceeded Its
Powers in Signing the
Pact With England,
SEVERAL DELEGATES
DISPUTE HIS CLAIM
Opinion Among Dali Men,
bers on Approval or Re-
lection More Evenly Dr.
vided Than Expected,

Dublin, Dec. IA (by the Associat-
ed PresS) The question of ratifi-
cation or rejection of the Irish
agreement made at London was de-
bated today at n public meeting of
the dali and later at two secret
sessions. Another secret session is
to be held tomorrow.
At the public meeting Eamonn
de Valera, the president, and Ar
thur Griffith. Michael Collins and
other dali deputies expressed their
views as to whether the Irish dele
cation to London had exceeded its
powers in signing the agreement
with the British cabinet.
Divided on the Question.
De Valera and members of the
delegation We're sharply divided on
the question. De Valera contended
that the treaty should not have
been signed without its having first
been referred to the Dublin parlia-
ment. Delegates Griffith and Col
lins insisted that they and their
colleagues had the power invested
In them to sign an agreement. but
not the authority to conclude it.
Mr.. Griffith asserted that the rep
resentatives Of the dali eireann and
of the British cabinet were. in iden-
tical positions, as each was obli-
gated to refer the treaty to their
respective legislatures for ratifica-
ton.
Both Mr.. Collins and Mr.. Griffith
resented a statement of President
de Valera that the delegation had
not obeyed the instructions of the
Dublin cabinet.
"I have been called a traitor"
exclaimed Mr.. Collins. Let the
Irish people decide whether / am
or not"
Speculation over the possibility
of serious rift in the two factions
centered in the secret sessions. The
first lasted from 1 until Q p. m.
Then after a recess the deputies
reassembled at 4:30.
Animated Discussions.
The secret meeting was confined
to animated discussion OF how far
the plenipotentiaries were justified
by their instructions in signing
treaty with Great Britain. without
having resubmitted the treaty to
President de Valera and his cabi-
net.
Mr.. Griffith, quietly, and Mr.. Col
Inns, with some heat. In the public
session. resented any suggestions
that they had failed to carry out
their instructions or that they had
exceeded them.
The opinion among members of
the dali tonight on the question of
acceptance tor rejection seemed
more evenly divided than had been
All apparently were in
agreement that ultimate response
bility would rest with the country.
Decision to Electors?
1t is considered possible that the
members of the dali, after having
expressed their individual opinions,
will refer final decision to the
electors. among whom all indica-
tions seem to point there Is a large
majority in favor of the treaty. /
Except for a sim fein flag
iraped with crepe and hung from
pole. the only evidence
Of propaganda against ratification
o .tside University college. where
the sessions were held. were MEM
bers of the communist party In
ireland, who endeavored to dis
tribute pamphlets urging rejection
of the treaty. Members OF the
Irish republican army dispersed
he communists and confiscated
heir literature.