The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1921-12-16
HARTFORD COUNTY KENTUCKY FRIDAY DECEMBER M 1921

should have full plenary powers but
that whatever arrangement was
reached would be submitted to the
Dali for ratification. The cabinet. he
declared, would not have sent any five
men to negotiate treaty which
would bind the nation without some
larger body representing the nation
having an opportunity of criticising
and reviewing It.
Mr.. de Valera said his idea was
that when the plenipotentiaries had
arrived at an agreement In principle
and had rough copy of the docu-
ment they were prepared to sign they
should have sent Il to the cabinet.
lie could only say that when he did
see the final text he could not see his
way to sign or recommend IT, This
was a case of a difference of opinion
between two bodies which would ma
turally arise, and h was anxious that
the difference OF opinion should not
interfere with the discussion Of the
treaty.
After Mr.. de Valera had concluded
Arthur Griffith. head OF the delega-
ton to London, who with Cichael
Collins and the other plenipotentia-
rles signed the peace agreement, rose
to ask whether Il was alleged that
the plenipotentiaries had exceeded
their instructions.
Instructions Not Followed.
Mr. de Valera explained that the
treaty was signed in the small hours
of the morning after alterations had
been made which. the cabinet had not
seen. To that extent, he said, the in
structions had not been followed.
Michael Collins then asked that the
final document agreed to in Dublin by
the united Dali cabinet should be put
side by side with the document sign.
ed in London by the plenipotentiaries
They did not sign that document as
treaty, he said. but on the under
standing that all the signatories
would recommend it to the Dali for
acceptance.
DIR. White then moved a private
session. Mr.. de Valera said he
thought the general question must
be debated in public, but that the
matter referred to ought to be dis
cussed in private. Statements had
Just been made by delegates which
were not facts, he said.
Other members argued that the
whole proceedings. with the exception
OF those touching upon military or
financial secrets, should be made pub
lie.
Reads Original Credentials.
Mr.. Collins protested against what
he CHARACTERIZED as the unfairness
that lay in submitting one document
without submitting the original Gre
dentials. He read the credentials Of
himself and his colleagues, signed by
de Valera, authorizing them to nego-
tiate and conclude on behalf of the
republic of Ireland with representa- |
lives of His Britannia Majesty trea-
ty or treaties OF settlement, associa-
tion or accommodation between Ire |
land and the community of nations
known as the British Commonwealth.
The Dali. he Continued, had full !
power OF rejection and could relieve
him of responsibility.
President de Valera in responding |
said the credentials quoted by Collins
had not, he believed. been accepted.
He would be glad to hear. he said,
hat the Prime Minister had received
he acceptance.
President de Valera argued that
he treaty should not have been sign
ID without its having been referred to
Dublin. One reason why he had not
,een delegate himself he explain
ID. was that an opportunity for de-
ay might be afforded. lie did not
ay that IL they had seer. the nnal
document 1t woull have mattered