The Adair County news., 1922-01-17
Irish President Indicates He Will
Quit Unless Republic
Is Maintained.
DEFEAT OF TREATY FEARED
MacNeiIl Reads Motion in Dali Declar-
ing ireland to Be a Sovereign
State Deriving Its Power
From Peoples Sanction.

prepared by himself calling upon the
Dahl to affirm that Ireland is SOW
ereign state, deriving its authority
from the will of the people.
The motion would provide that al
OF Ireland's international relations
must be governed by this status.
1t is expected the motion will be
put through if the treaty is ratified.
Following the reading of the motion
Harry BOland arose to speak against
the treaty.
Speaker AIacNeilrs ruling refusing
to let the house be diverted from the
urgent business in hand assured, it was
believed, a clear cut vote on the peace
pact.
cannon de VaIera's resignation as
chief executive stood postponed until
the division is taken.
1t is the cOncensuS of opinion here
that Mr.. de Ealera's dramatic speech
rendering this resignation has left the
situation regarding the vote ON the
treaty unchanged, but it undoubtedly
has widened the cleavage between the
factions. He made the issue absolute
ly clear, the Irish Times points out
and every deputy will vote with the
full knowledge of his responsibilities"
De Valera Retirement Seen.
Discussion continues as to the exact
position Of Mr.. de Valera as the result
of Fridays proceedings, but there is
general agreement that his speech
means he will definitely retire from
politics If the Dahl approves the treaty,
only continuing his leadership If the
treaty is rejected.
Motion by MacNellI.
Speaker MacNeilTs motion was read
as follows:
THAT the Dali Eireann affirms that
Ireland Is sovereign nation, deriving
its sovereignty in all respects from the
will of the people of Ireland; that all
the international relations of Ireland
are governed on the part of Ireland
by that sovereign status, and all ia
cilities and accommodation afforded by
Ireland to another state or country are
subject to the right of the Irish gov
eminent to take care that the liberty
and well being of the people of Ireland
are not endangered"
The object of this motion was to as
sert the principle that ratification of
the treaty was in accordance with in
dependence.
Harry BOland, just back from the
United States, asked for a vote of
thanks for "the magnificent support
America has given u.s."
Fighters in America.
No one knew better than Michael
Collins, declared BOland, that there
were 5000 men in America eager to
fight for Ireland and that many such
men had come back to Ireland and
fought valiantly.
BOland said he would have to admit
that sentiment in America favored the
treaty, but many subscribers to the
Irish loan, would regard adoption of
the treaty as a betrayal of their
sympathy and support. He declared
acceptance of the treaty would be sui
eide for Ireland.
Ireland, he continued. never has
been and never could be beaten. If
the treaty were adopted she would
never again ask the world for support
IN the fight for freedom.
Boland was enthusiastically APP
plauded when he took his seat.
McGrath for Treaty.
Joseph McGrath of Dublin followed
In support Of the treaty.
He created a sensation by stating
that when he and BOland went to Gair-
loch, Scotland, on their last trip as
messengers in the negotiations with
Prime Minister Lloyd George. Boland
told him he was going to America on
behalf of cannon de Valera to prepare
the people of America to accept "sOme-
thing short of republic"
Replying to McGrath, De Valera said
that because he wanted to be honest
with the American people he had told
BOland to let them know he could not
secure the isolated republic" which
was Ireland's ideal. but that his exter-
nal association plan would give Ire
land complete independence.
Anxiety in Ireland.
Acute suspense and anxiety over the
chances for peace prevails as the re-
suit of De Valera's unexpected action
In resigning as president of the Irish
republic.
Few among the Irish people are will
ing to doubt the sincerity of his ac-
ton, but the general regard for him
does not prevent many expressions of
regret at his course. In the view of
supporters of the peace treaty his ac-
tion has seriously imperiled the
chances for peace.
Alarm is expressed in some quarters
lest the waverers IN the dali now will
be. drawn to Mr.. de Valera's side. and
the treaty defeated That acceptance
Of the theaty is considered paramount,
despite the general respect for Mr.. de
Valera, is shown by the comments In
the newspapers, which appealed to the
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