Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-02-13
SETS
HOSTILE IRISH
AGAINST PEACE
Big Demonstration Ad-
dressed From Three
Open Air Platforms.

Dublin. Feb 12.-(By The Associ-
ated Press. )-Eamonn de Valera Sun
day opened the campaign against the
provisional government with great
demonstration held in O'Connell street.
Three large platforms had been placed
for the speakers and each was sur
rounded by large crowds. Members
of the republican and metropolitan
police regulated the gathering. All
traffic in OConnell street was sus
pended for an hour by order of the
republican chief of police.
About 1000 republican soldiers par
AIDED prior to the meeting.
Mr. De Valera was accorded great
reception. Six resolutions proposed
during the meeting We're affirmed that
the Irish nation was one and lndivls-
ible; that all state authority in Ireland
is derived solely from the Irish people;
that the British crown is an alien
crown, and that Ireland is no part Of
the British empire.
Not True Aspirations. They Say
The resolutions further declared that
the articles of the London agreement
failed to represent the true desires of
the Irish people: that the treaty was
obtained under duress, and that the
il legal sanction, and therefore. its rati-
fication is null and void. They added
that to force upon Ireland an election
involving recognition of partition be-
fore the dali Eireann has expressed its
sanction is unconstitutional. An addi-
tional resolution called upon the people
for support of the dependents of pris-
oners.
Mr.. De Valera in his speech said ii
was a lie that the Irish people would
by majority accept the treaty. He
added that, although the meeting had
been advertised for only three days,
thousands of persons had assembled in
support of the republic, proclaimed
during "Easter week and which was
ratified at the Irish elections. The
London agreement was not treaty but
an instrument which in every line de-
MED Irish sovereignty. 1t was signed.
he said. under duress and was no more
binding than the infamous action of
union"
Regards Free State as Monarchy
Mr.. De Valera said the articles of
tho agreement bound the Irish people
to exchange their republic for a mon
archy. He asked if the people wanted
as their monarch king George Of Eng
land" to which there were replies Of
mo! Mo-"
The king would be embodied in the
irish constitution and be really the
authority of Premier Lloyd George and
his cabinet, Mr.. DeValera said. The
foreign monarch's forces could hold the
principal forts and have air facilities;
and when Great Britain was at war.
which was virtually always. the British
government could take over the har
bors and ireland would be made bel
ligerent liable to attack by Great Brit
aims enemy. he declared.
Objects to War Tribute
ireland, the speaker continued. was
to be saddIed with tribute to the Brit
ish war pensions, and an as yet nnde
termined share in Great Brtain's ma
tional debt.
The alternative policy, Mr. DeNalera
declared, was the policy of the last
four years, the policy which the pres
ent opponents of the republicans once
shared with them The speaker ap-
the third time, to defeat at the cleo
peoples views
The resolutions were adopted at all
the platforms amid great cheering.
There was no Indication of any oppo-
sition to them. The magnitude and the
generally enthusiastic character of the
republican demonstration was sur
prise to observers of the political sit
uatiOn.
Opposition Expected to Follow
The supposition was prevalent that
DeValera's uncompromising republican
following was confined mainly to Cork
and Kerry. but it seemed evident from
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