Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-02-23

simply be for or against the treaty.
but to determine the judgment Of
the Irish people on the actual terms
of a constitution in which the treaty
will be embodied.
Supporters Of the Free State have
contended throughout that the treaty
enables Ireland to frame for herself
constitution giving all the essen
tails of freedom. but the Republic
cans have denied this and have
quoted interpretations placed upon
the treaty in speeches by Prime Min
lister Lloyd George and other British
cabinet ministers.
All the objections to the agreement
raised on the floor today after canon
DeValera had announced it's terms
emanated from prominent Republi-
cans, and despite Mr.. DeValera's as
surances that he had carefully con-
sidered every point and was quite
satisfied with Arthur Griffith's
emphatic declaration that no election
must be forced upon the country
during the coming three months,
the Republicans decided to hold a
meeting this evening in the Mansion
House to insist upon clarifying GER
tain points which they considered
dubious.
So far as we know late this after
noon no similar meeting was contem-
plated by the leaders OF the other
side.
The points on which the Repub-
licans particularly demanded assur-
ance was what the agreement meant
| by the Free State constitution to be
submitted to the electorate. Was il
merely the constitution as drafted by
| the provisional government on its
own Interpretation of the treaty, OF
was it to be final constitution
which the British government could
not alter? Mr.. DeValeras estimate
of the effect of the agreement took
the latter view. However, the result
was regarded by leaders as showing
| there could be no doubt that the
rank and file of both sides were over
| joyed that division had beer
avoided.
The British governments hurry tc
| poSS ga oSt VI pa SuppOIll
the provisional government and tc
provide it with an elected parliament
which would replace the Dali Fir
cam and dis-cstablish the Irish Re.
public has been rendered futile, il
was argued by those favoring the
agreement. The possibility thai
elections could be held by British
authority has now been negativet
by both sides, it was declared.
| BY the terms of today's agree.
ment, Arthur Griffith is as strongly
committed as Mr.. DeValera not te
appeal to the electorate, except will
sanction of the Dahl Eireann, and the
majority favoring the provisional
| government within the Dali is ad.
mittcdly so small and so precariOu.
that no resolution noting cleo
lions to which the DeValera factor
would be strongly opposed could b,
carried.
There will be no cessation in tn,
publication of the newspaper, thu
Republic of Ireland which support.
Mr.. DeNalera, and it is believed {
similar paper to advocate the view:
of the Free Staters is being prepar.
cd.
The provisional government will b.
subject to criticism in the Dial, bu
todays agreement provides that {
Dali majority cannot put the sup.
porters of the Provisional govern
mcnt out of Office. 1t is hoped tina
the agreement will check the laci
of discipline in the Republican arm,
and regardless of the views of the
individual members. it is believed
the army will obey the high com
mand, of which Richard Mulcahy
minister of defense in the Provis
icnal government. is the head.
How serious the position had be
come regarding the army was cvi
dcnced within the last day or two by
announcements in newspapers from
certain brigadcs in Tipperary ant
Limerick pronouncing against the
treaty, declaring the Free State gov.
crnmcnt inimical to the established
republic and repudiating allegiance
to the present Dali Eireann.