The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-17
No Division in Parliament on
Second Reading.
Craig Amendment to Boundary
Provisions Killed.
VOTE 3O2 FOR; 60 AGAINST
Evacuation of British Troops
To Be Resumed Tonight
FOrty-TwO Ulster UniOnists
Taken in Raids Liberated.
(Bv the Associated Press-)

Itching the Irish free state passed ITS
second reading in the house of COM
mons TODAY after the amendment Of
rered bv Capt. Charles Craig, leader
OF tho ulster unionists for altering the
boundary commission provisions Oh
tbe Anglo-Irish treaty had been de-
fcated by a vote of 302 to SO. tlnai
vote on the free stare bill was SO-
to so. --.-.-.,.- 40
feated the second reading was adopt
ed without a division. The amend
1nent thus disposed Of stipulated thal
in view of the factfthat the treaty pro
vided for the creation of a boundary
commission and that such provision
vas in direct abrogation of Ulster S
rights as secured by the government
Of ireland act of 1920 and breach
If the pledge given by the prime min
ister the house declines TO proceed
with the second reading until the gov
ernment had given assurance that the
provision in question would be eltmi-
mated or that any decision OF the
boundary commission should only
take effect after approval of the
northern parliament had been given.
Free State Act Is Fair.
London. Feb. II, - Sir Laming
Worthington Evans, secretary of state
for war. came forward in defense of
the Irish free state act when debate
upon the measure was renewed in the
house of commons today The war
secretary declared that the British
government had taken the proper at
titude and he denied that the treaty
robbed Ulster province of any rights
conveyed under the 1920 partition act
(under which the present Ulster gov
ernment was created).
People living in Ulster county, bor-
derinE the free state, will be allowed
haf
they wish TO maintain allegiance to
Ulster or swear allegiance to the free
state, Sir Laming said. o..
1t was expected that Premier Lloyd
George would address commons in de-
tense of the free state act late in the
afternoon.
Believe Few Votes Against.
Adherents of Premier Lloyd George
said they had canvassed the house of
commons and there was less than 100
votes against the Irish free state act.
This canvass, they said. made it GER
tain that the measure would pass.
Sir Laming made a strong plea for
the bill. Repudiating taunts of Ulster
unionists that he had betrayed his
country" the war secretary replied:
Rejection of the bill means the
end of all prospects for Irish peace"
Michael Collins. outstanding figure
in the provisional government at
Dublin, telegraphed to Colonial Sec
retary Winston Churchill that the
best way in which the British govern
1nent could help at the present time
was to adhere strictly to the letter
and sIdrit of the Anglo-Irish treaty to
convince Ireland that Britain is really
delivering the gooGs this time"
Many people in Ireland are still sus-
picious of England's good faith, Col
Inns said
Settlement Seen Soon.
Dublin, Feb. 17.-Prospects for an
Irish settlement are brighter than at
any time since before the Ulster bor-
der raids, it was declared today by
Michael Collins, the outstanding fig
ure in the provisional government.
Collins said the British government
was cooperating with the Dublin gov
ernment and giving all assistance in
the removal of troubles.
Everything is brighter" said Col
Inns. optimistically. Evacuation of
British troops from Ireland will be
resumed tonight"
In view of the ever present possi-
bility for untoward developments, it
is preferred to withhold official an
nouncement of withdrawal of British
troops locally until the soldiers have
actually embarked upon shipboard.
Il wish Americans to know, however.
that Colonial Secretary Winston
Churchill has responded to my tele-
gram. in the right spirit. The British
government is delivering the goods"
said Collins.