BAIL EIREANN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16625, 6 January 1922, Page 2

BAIL EIREANN.

DEBATE m TREATY.

ANGRY WORDS, By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. ■ Australian and N.Z. Cable Aesociation. LONDON. January 4. Continuing; the debite in Dail Eireann on ratification of the Irish Treaty, Mr Mellowes, editor of the newspaper “ Republic of Ireland,'’ declared that the Free State Government, as a barrier between Britain and the people of Ireland, would eventually occupy the same relationship io the people as Dublin Castle did to-day. The people would have to remove it. Commander O’Duffy asked deputies to weigh their actions carefully beforeflouting practically the unanimous voice of the country. There were forty brave men awaiting the hangman's rope, seven of whom were in his brigade. All sent messages, “ Don’t mind us. Do what you think best for Ireland.” .lust before the adjournment a deputy challenged Mr de Valera to produce document Number 2. Mr de Valera jumped up angrily and protested against misrepresentation. tl I defy anyone to prove I have departed in a tingle letter from the republic as established,” he declared. Mr Collins jumped up excitedly. 11 1 also protest,” he said, “ that I have never given anything away.” Mr de Valera then intimated his intention of moving an amendment on Thursday embodying document Number 2 In the meantime this has been handed round among members. Mr Griffith pointed out that the document handed to members differed from Number 2. Mr de Valera : Yon’re quibbling. Mr Griffith: Six clauses are missing. Mr de Valera : I am responsible for the proposal. T am going to choose my own procedure. Mr Griffith : It is not competent for Mr de Valera to choose his procedure. He is not an autocrat. The House adjourned. DOCUMENT NO. 2, DE VALERA’S- PROPOSALS. LONDON, January 5. Mr do Valera’s motion reads:— Inasmuch as the articles of the agreement for a treaty between Britain and Ireland do nob reconcile our national aspirations and the association of Ireland with the community of nations known as the British Commonwealth, and cannot he the basis of an enduring peace between the Irish and British peoples, Dail Eireann, in the name of the sovereign Trish nation, makes to the Government of Britain, to the J Governments of the other States of the British Commonwealth. and to flic people of Britain and of the several States the following proposal for a treaty of amity and association which Dail Eireann is convinced could ho entered into by the Trish people with sincerity and goodwill. “In order to bring an end to a long, ruinous conflict between Britain and Ireland by a sure and lasting peace, honourable to both nations, it is agreed—1. —The legislative, executive and judiciary authority of Ireland shall be derived solely from the people of Ireland. 2. —For purposes of common concern Ireland shall bo associated with the States of the British commonwealth, viz., the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Dominion of New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa. 3. —When acting as an associate the rights, status and privileges of Ireland shall in no reepect be less than those enjoyed by any component States of the commonwealth. 4. —Matters of common concern shall include defence in peace and rvar, political treaties and all matters now treated as of common concern among the States of the commonwealth. 5. —The citizens of Ireland shall not be subject to any disabilities which any citizen of the commonwealth is not subject to, 6. —For the purpose of the association Ireland shall recognise his Britannic Majesty as head of the association. 7. —So far ae her resources will permit. Ireland shall provide for her own defence on sea, land and in the air, and shall repel by force any attempt by a foreign Power to violate her soil or waters, or to use them for a purpose hostile to Britain, 8. —For five years, pending- the ©s- * tablishment of Ireland’s coastal defence, 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. ! The ninth and tenth clauses forbid | Ireland to build submarines, unless by agreement with Britain. The eleventh and twelfth clauses deal with air communications and ports. 13.—Ireland shall assume liability for such share of the present public debt and payment of ivar pensions as is fair and equitable, having regard to any Irish counter-claims, the amount

of which shall bo determined by arbitration. The fourteenth clause deals with compensation to judges, officials and police. 15. —Neither the Parliament of Ireland nor any subordinate legislature of Ireland shall make any laws directly or indirectly endowing any religion, or prohibit or restrict the free exercise thereof. 16. —By way of transitional arrangement for the administration of Ireland members elected for the constituencies of Ireland under the 1920 Act, shall elect a transitional government, to which the British Government and I>ail Eiroann shall transfer authority, powers and machinery. 17. —This instrument shall be submitted for ratification to tho Parliament at Westminster and members elected by the 1920 Act. When ratifications are exchanged it shall take immediate effect. TERMS CAUSE AMAZEMENT. LONDON, January o. If Mr Griffith demands a division as to whether Mr de Valera should bo allowed to introduce document Number 2 as an amendment, it will settle the fate of the treaty, as the voting would bo on party lines of ratificationists and rejectionists, thereby bringing tile matter to immediate decision, instead of continuing a protracted debate. Amazement is expressed at the contrast between Mr de Valera’s passionate proclamation and document Number 2, which preserves the closest parallel to the treaty terms. MR DE VALERA’S PROGLA- ) MAT !ON, APPEAR TO THE PEOPLE. LONDON, January 4. Mr de Valera has issued a proclamation asking the people of Ireland not to allow themselves to b© rushed into a decision they might live to deplore, not to set their seal on a. settlement which cannot be a settlement. Tli© proclamation asserts that ail opportunity for genuine reconciliation has been lost by the short-sighted expediency of politicians, who by threat of war dragged the Irish delegates beyond the limit. The circumstance will ever be remembered as the crowning act of infamy by England’s rulers. “ You can,” he says, “ retrieve the position at the eleventh hour. You are being asked to give your consent 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 don’t mean to keep it. Do not allow yourselves to be misled by talk, quibbles and shadows. Is it a shadow that would safeguard your independence instead of subverting it? Is it a shadow that would remove tho authority of the British King, of the British Cabinet and British Parliament unequivocally from Ireland, that would remove from Ireland the British Governor-General, with his ear to the Downing Street telephone, that would rid you of the British occupation, that would relievo Irishmen and Irishwomen of their identity as Irish citizens, and not make British subjects of them? Stand fast, fellow-citizens by what you know to bo the right. If you quail at the consequences what will they not ask you to surrender next to this ignoble fear?” THE BELFAST TROUBLE SIX PERSONS KILLED. LONDON, January 4. Tuesday’s shootings in Belfast were the worst for weeks. The military carried out a prolonged fusillade. The death-roll on Monday and Tuesday is six. The authorities have proclaimed it illegal for two or more persons to stop in any part of the York Street area, where eight o’clock Curfew operates tonight.