Pueblo chieftain., 1922-01-10
MOTION TO REFLECT VALERA
AS IRISH PRESIDENT DEFEATED

take tho responsibility for plunsins
Ireland into fratricidal strife.
Cheering followed the announce
ment of the figures.
to pay tribute OF admiration to air.
De Valera while the whole assembly
rose and applauded him.
noteworthy feature OF Mr.De
De Nalera's statement was that talk
OF fratracidal strife was all nonsense
tho Irish people would know how to
conduct themselves.
The course to which tho former
president. after his defeas. urged his
opponents. was to appoint a president
In his place and let that president ap-
point his own ministers. He accepted
defeat in good spirit and pledged his
support to the new government as
to Irish Independence. He explained
his reasons for asserting to n motion
for his reelection were the same as Tor
declining to London on the delegation
his idea being to keep a reserve pow
er In the interests of the Irish repub-
lie behind the men in contact with the
British ministers. 1t soon became evil
dent that the supporters of tho treaty
were not anxious to submit any name
for the presidency. Richard Mulcahy.
chief of staff, recalled that tho Dali
had got along for n considerable time
without any president. Mr.. Collins sub
mitted a motion that tho Dali should
request Arthur Griffith to form pro-
visional government.
This did nothing to clear the situa-
ton, and Mr.. De Valera kept rising
frequently pressing his argument that
they must act constitutionally. keep
the republic In being and give 1t
ministry.
He objected to the creation OF any
alternative government which woulu
rcI II
tho republic as 1t existed were aoan
doncd he and his followers would
walk out.
His declaration Of Willingness to
stand behind the new government II
such action entailed no sacrifice OF
that he and his associates were ready
to back the new government If II
should REQUIRE support against any
outside enemy, were loudly cheered
Comma ndant Mckeown cried our
that De Valera's speech was the most
statesmanlike he had ever made.
However,. Mr.. Dc Nalera's words
were not echoed by several of his Re
publican followers. Miss MacSwincy,
Liam Mollowes. David Kent and others
displayed determination to fight out
the Republican cause. Miss MacSwi-
ney was particularly forcible in her
threats against any attempt by the
new provisional government to ADOPT
the Republican trl-color as the flav OF
tho now Free state.
Mr.. Collins apparently thought they
could summon a ratifyinS body or
members for southern Ireland includ-
ing the four members representing
Trinity college, They could call 1t tho
Dali Eireann. until somebody knowing
Irish well could find a better name Tor
IT.
This was Immediately countered with
the reminder that the Trinity college
members would not take the Republic
can oath. Finally John !. O'Kelly, min
lister of education, argued that Mr..
Collins motion was out of order, be-
cause no notice has been given.
The speaker sustained the argument.
but pointed out that all the proceed
inys today We're similarly out OF or
dor and could only be carried on by
consent. Adjournment until tomor-
row morning was moved, and Mr.. COL
Inns eaid he would hand in notice OF his
motion.