WHY BARTON SIGNED
A FATEFUL ALTERNATIVE. LONDON, 19th December. The sensation of the meeting was Mr. Barton's speech, in which he revealed, with the most dramatic effect, how the delegates fa-ced a dreadful alternative at
ths fateful midnight session.' "The negotiations had broken down. I broke the oath of allegiance to the Republic because I believed it the lesser evil. We tried repeatedly to get the responsibility of deciding neace or war referred to tho Dail Eireann. Mr. Lloyd Gporge, with solemnity and the power of conviction, declared that the signature of every delegate was necessary or war would follow immediately. He gave us ninety minutes to decide. Mr. Gavin Duffy and myself decided Qic question of war or no war. I preferred war, bit realised that I dare not accept that responsibility on behalf of the nation without consulting the nation. So I signed, and am prepared to stand by my signature."
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Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 149, 21 December 1921, Page 7
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153WHY BARTON SIGNED Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 149, 21 December 1921, Page 7
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