The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-01-16
C()RbS
ERIN, SAYS
DE VALERA
Ex-President Declares ireland
10 Virtually a Prisoner, If
Treaty 10 Enforced.
BY DANIEL O'CONNELL.
tcep,rish. i's.s sy ln,'yn.tion.i New

tcepyrishl isss. By International News
DUBLIN. Jan. 49, Eamonn de
-Valera, former president Of the
Irish republic, refused to accept the
Anglo-Irish peace treaty because he
believed that II was not q stepping
stone, but q barrier 10 complete in
dependence for Ireland.
Gives Authorized Statement.
De Valera made this statement today
In the first authorized interview he
has given out since the opening OF the
Irish peace negotiations.
De Valera has improved in both
health and spirits since the bitter
struggle in the Dali Eireann when
Arthur Griffith, founder Of the Sim
Fein, ousted him from his position az
president. Today he was the same smil
ing man the Irish knew before he made
his trip to the United States.
II am giving you the first authentic
statement l have given to my press
man since the beginning OF the nego
tiations," said the Sim Fein chieftain
as he paced the floor.
De Valera spoke carefully and SLOW
ly, weighing every word before he
uttered 1t. The correspondent opened
up the interview with a question
which Is being asked by many
throughout Ireland. namely, why he
refdsed to accept the Anglo Irish
treaty. De Valera paced mp and down
for several minutes with his hands be-
hind his back, then he snapped out
this reply: ~.
Britain VIII Enforce Contract.
Because it is not a stepping stone.
but a barrier in the way OF complete
independence. II this treaty be com.
pleted and the Irish act resulting
from it is accepted by Ireland. 1t GER
tainly will be maintained that n
solemn, binding contract has been
entered into voluntarily by the Irish
people and Britain will seek to hold
us to that contract.
1T would be cited against the
claims to independence by every
future Irish leader. A little over n
year ago when sought official
recognition from the Government Of
the United States was able to plead
as a basis. Ireland's right to free ma.
tional self determination: and that the
people of Ireland constituted a distinct
end separate nation ethnically and
historically as attested by every other
standard of political science. l was
able to contend that the Irish never
voluntarily accepted British rule or
authority, but consistently challenged
II through centuries and that they
had in fact. in recent national
plebiscites clearly indicated their will
to live their national life as an inde'
pendent. sovereign State.
These statements could not, at
that time, be challenged. Circum.
stances surrounding the so-called act
of union Of 1900 were 30 notorious
that no informed person would Sc
riously hold that that act consti'
tuted a valid contract.
Was Never Spiritual Surrender.
I'm Irish history there is not a
single instance Of the Irish people
voluntarily bending the knee to Brit
ish authority. Irelands moral case
is perfect. There never was a spirit
ual surrender.
Now this treaty. II ratified by
the people, will determine our whole
national position. Our people do not
realize this. / know the Irish policy
Of dominant political leaders Of the
last century and the present century
up to the time OF Redmond's death
has so affected the mental back
ground Of all who are above middle
age that they slip back quite easily
over the lasts decade az IL 1t had
not existed. regarding this treaty
from the standpoint merely Of q
Continued on Pare ., Column -