DECISION OF THE DAIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17984, 9 January 1922, Page 5

DECISION OF THE DAIL.

STRAIGHT-OUT DIVISION. MAJORITY OF SEVEN VOTES. DE VALERA'S PLANS IN DOUBT. RESIGNATION DEFERRED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. &nd iN ' Z - (Received 10.16 p.m.) LONDON. Jan. 7. The Da.il Eireann ratified the Irish Treaty by 64 votes to 57. When the Dail opened to-day the Speaker, Professor John MacNeill, announced % motion in his own name assorting the sovereign status of Ireland and pointing out that facilities and accommodation granted to foreign nations should be subject to the condition that Ireland's liberties are not endangered, Mr. H. Boland (South Roscommon), who for some time was Sinn Fein envoy in the United States, characterised the treaty as the negation of everything for which they had fought. He admitted that a great body of opinion in the United States and the press favoured the treaty, but the people there who subscribed money to Sinn Fein regarded the treaty as a betrayal. He asked Mr. Michael Collins if the treaty was to be regarded as a final settlement. Mr. Collins replied loudly: It is not. Mr. Joseph McGrath (St. James', Dublin), one of Mr. Griffith's Whips, said that he never expected to get a republic when he went into the fight, but he had the same object as the men who died, namely, to awaken the Irish people. Mr. Boland told him when he (Mr. Boland) was about to return to the United States that he was going back to do an awful thing, that was to prepare the Americans for something short of a republic. Mr. de Valera at this point rose to explain Mr. Boland's instructions. He said he told Mr. Boland that the idea of an isolated republic would have to be changed for some sort of association in the British Empire, but consistent with the position the Sinn Fein had taken up. Free State as Precursor of Republic, Mr. J. McGuinnees (Longford), supporting the said that as & member of the private members' committee which n, to reach an agreement he could not understand why this committee's report should not be allowed to be discussed by the Dail. The committee presented a report which meant that they should allow the Free State to take root and then turn it down for a republic.

Mr. 0. Burgess (Waterforcl), Minister for Defence, winding up the discussion for the ricctionista said: "We have been asked for an authoritative statement defining Mr. Collins' real position in the Irish Republican Army, what fights has he taken part in, whether he ever fired a single shot at the enemy of Ireland." Mr. Burgees sneeringly referred to Mr. Collins as " the man who won the war." Mr. Collins, he said, was merely a subordinate in the Department of Defence, where all worked conscientiously and patriotically for Ireland without seeking notoriety except one. Mr. Collins had been singled out by the press and public to put him into a position that he had never held. Whether Mr. Collins was responsible for the notoriety and for the romantic atmosphere surrounding him he '(Mr. Burgess) could not say. Mr. Griffith, who closed the debate, said: "If my name is to go down in history I want it to be associated with Mr, Collins. He was the man who fought the Black and Tan terror until England was forced to offer terms. The principle I have stood on all my life is the principle of 'Ireland for the Irish people. If I cannot get it with a republic, and if I can get it with a monarchy then I will have it with a monarchy. I will not sacrifice my country on the altar of the form of government.' While the, division was being taken by means of a roll-call, Mr. Griffith protested that Bome constituencies were disfranchised, as the members representing two constituencies were only allowed to record one vote. Tense feeling prevailed during the division. The Speaker announced the result in Gaelic and then in English. Dc Valera Questions the Decision. Mr. de Valera, when the result was announced, said: "It will be my ditty to resign. Ido not know if I will do it just now. I have to say to my country and to the world that the Irish people established the Republic and', the Republic can only be disestablished by the Irish people. Therefore, until the Irish people in a regular manner disestablish it this Republican institution goes on." Mr. Griffith urged the appointment of a committee representative of botii sides so that they could take over the machinery of government. He concluded: "The President has the same position in my heart as hp. always had." Mr. de Valera ignored the appeal and Mr. Griffith repeated his suggestion, saying that he did not know if they were to go different ways or not, but they ought to agree to his proposal over the week-end at all events bo as to preserve present order in the country.

Mr. de Va-lera rose pale and trembling and said, " We have had a glorious record for four years," He then broke down. Women members cried. A member called for cheers for Mr. de Valera and the Republic, which were heartily given. The sitting then ended.

The Dail meets again on Monday. Mr. Griffith was overcome by the intense strain and left the building leaning on the arms of Mr. Collins and Mr. Duggan amid cheering from the crowd and some booing.