IRELAND.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10281, 7 January 1922, Page 4

IRELAND.

LONDON, January o. The Dail Eireann has reassembled. Shouts of "Ratify, Ratify," from the large crowds outside the University Buildings of Dublin, greeted the members of the Dail Eireann arriving for the resumption of the debate. The walls were decorated with the motto: "Mulcahy wants peace; who else can tight?" The suggestion was made during the debate that Princess Mary's engagement should be broken off and that she marry Michael Collins. Later in the debate Mr Collins, who was not present when Princess Mary's .name was dragged in, hotly protested that he would not allow, without challenge, any insult to any lady, either Irish or any other nationality. Mr Beasley, Mr J J. Walsh, Mr Blythe (Minister of Trade), Mr McCabe, Mr Gavan Duffy (Commander of the Republican Army and member for Mouaghan), supported ratication of the treaty, the Countess Markieviez, Mr J. J. Walsh, and Mr O'Callaghan (Lord Mayor of Cork) opposed it. DE VALERA PROCLAMATION. LONDON, January 4. I Mr de Valera has issued a proclamation asking the people of Ireland 'not to allow themselves to be rushed into a decision which they might ' live to deplore; nor to set their seal on a settlement which cannot be a settlement. The proclamation asserts that the opportunity for genuine reconciliation has been lost by the short-sight-ed expediency of politicians wJio by the threat of war dragged thf* Irish delegates beyond their limit. The circumstance will ever be remembered as the crowning act of infamy by England's rulers. "You can retrieve the position at the eleventh hour. You are being asked to give your sonsent and approval to a Treaty establishing British authority in Ireland; you are being asked to bind yourselves with your own hands; you are asked to give your parole. Refuse, as in honour you must. If you do not mean to keep it do not allow yourselves to be misled by talk, quibbles, and shadows. It is a shadow that would safeguard ( your independence instead of subverting it? Is it a shadow that would-re-move the authority of the British King, of the British Cabinet, and British Parliament unequivocally from Ireland; that would remove from Ireland a British GovernorGeneral with his ear to a Downing Street telephone; that would rid you of British occupation : that, would relieve Irish men and Irish women of their identity as Irish citizens and not make British subjects of them? Stand fast, fellow citizens, by what you know to be right. If you quail at the consequences, what will they not ask you to surrender next to this ignoble fear?" THURSDAY'S MOTION. LONDON, January 5. Mr de Valera's motion roads: — "Inasmuch as the Articles, of Agreement of the Treaty between Britain and Ireland do not reconcile our national aspirations, and the association of Ireland with the community of nations known as the British Commonwealth, and cannot be the basis of an enduring peace between the Irish and British peoples, the Dail Eireann, in the name of the sovereign Irish nation, makes to the Government of Britain and to the Governments of other.. States of the British Commonwealth, and to the people of Britain and of the several States, the following proposal for a Treaty of Amity and Association, which the Dail Eireann is convinced could be entered iiito by the Irish people with sincerity and. goodwill \tF. VALERA'S PEOPOS3DI) TREATY. Tiic- iJiOijOßsiii 'iiS&ty "la order io bring an end to the long and ruinous conflict between Britain and Ireland by a sure and lasting peace honourable to both nations, it is agreed: Firstly, that legislative executive and judiciary authority of Ireland shall be derived solely from the people of Ireland. Secondly, that for purposes of common concern, Ireland , shall be associated with the States of the British Commonwealth, namely, the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Dominion of New Zealand, the Union of South Africa. Thirdly, when acting as an associate, the rights, statutes, and privileges of Ireland shall in no respect be loss than those enjoyed by any component States of the Commonwealth. Fourthly, matters of common concern shall include defence in peace and war, political treaties and all matters now treated as of common concern among the States of the Commonwealth. Fifthly, the citizens of Ireland shall not be subject to any disabilities to which any citizen of the Commonwealth is not subject. Sixthly, for the purpose of the association Ireland shall recognise His Britannic Majesty as head of the association. Seventhly, so far as her resources will permit, Ireland shall provide her own defence on sea, land, and air, and shall repel by force any attempt by foreign Power to violate her soil or waters, or to use them for a purpose hostile to Britain. Eightly, for five years, pending the established of Ireland's coastal defence, the facilities for'the coastal defence of Ireland shall be given to the British Government, including harbour and other naval facilities in time of war as the British Government may reasonably require. " Ninth and tenth clauses deal with air communications and ports. Thirteenth, Ireland shall assume llabilitv for such share of the present public debt and payment of war pensions as is fair and equitable. having regard to any Irish counter claims the amount of which is to he determined by arbitration. Fourteenth clause deals with the compensation to judges, officials and police. Fifteenth, neither tho Parliament of Ireland nor any subordinate legislature in Ireland shall make any laws directly or indirectly endowing ar.y religion, or prohibit <>r restrict the free exercise thereof. Sixteenth, by way of a transitional arrangement for the. administration of Ireland members elected for the constituencies of Ireland under the 1920 Act shall elect a transitional GuVen:ji!e!|t to which Rritinh Govern

ment and the Dail Eireann shall transfer authority and powers of machinery. Seventeenth, this instrument shall he submitted for ratification to the Parliament at Westminster, and members elected by the 1920 Act, and when ratifications are exchanged shall take immediate effect." WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. LONDON, January 5. If Mr Griffith demands a division as to whether Mr de Valera will be allowed to introduce document No. 2, as an amendment, it will settle the fate of the Treaty, as the voting will be on party lines of Ratificationalists and Reactionists, thereby bringing the matter to an immediate decision instead of continuing the protracted dsbate. Amazement is expressed at the contrast between Mr de "Valera's passionate proclamation and document No. 2„ which preserves the closest parallel to the Treaty terms. LONDON, January 4. Tuesday's shootings in Belfast were the worst for weeks. The military carried out a prolonged fusilade. The death roll for Monday and Tuesday was six. The authorities proclaimed it illegal for two or more persons to stop in any part of York Street area, where eight o'clock curfew operates to-night.