Galway in Days Gone By
Galway In Days Gone By
1921
Treaty differences
There is nothing clear about so much of the proceedings of the Dáil as the people of Ireland has so far been permitted to witness except that there are differences of opinion amongst the members of the Cabinet.
Even what these differences are is not very plain to the ordinary man. So far, it would appear that the divergence relates to the mode of procedure adopted by the Irish Plenipotentiaries.
On October 7, under the signature of Éamon de Valera, and the official seal of Dáil Éireann, they were given authority “as Envoy Plenipotentiaries from the elected Government of the Republic of Ireland to negotiate and conclude, on behalf of Ireland, with the representatives of His Britannic Majesty, George V., a Treaty or Treaties of settlement, association and accommodation between Ireland and the community of nations known as the British Commonwealth”.
They negotiated and concluded such a Treaty. Their work received the grateful applause of practically all of Ireland, the cordial commendation of all nations of the world. On Friday last, a letter was published from Mr. de Valera stating that he could not recommend the Treaty, some clauses of which were “in violent conflict with the majority of the Nation,” and that in this attitude he was supported by Messrs. Brugha and Stack.
Still the public demand for ratification remained overwhelming. Accompanying the original credentials of the Plenipotentiaries, quoted by Mr. Collins, in his defence on Wednesday – for the President opened the proceedings by putting Mr. Griffin and himself on their defence – were instructions, clause three of which laid it down, “It is also understood that the complete text of the draft Treaty about to be signed will be similarly submitted to Dublin, and a reply awaited.”
Mr. de Valera’s complaint was that a rough draft of the Treaty, which he said he could not sign, and did not think the other members of Cabinet was sign, was submitted to him, but that the final text, which “considerably differed” from this, was not submitted to the Cabinet. Mr. de Valera was anxious that this difference as to procedure should not in any way interfere with the discussion on the Treaty itself. There was, he said, agreement up to a certain point. A definite question had to be decided, and they did not agree. He held out the hope that had the Cabinet been consulted, unity might have been secured.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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1923
Gloom after war
The special correspondent of the “Independent”, who has been writing of the aftermath of civil war in the West, notes that a feeling of apathy, due to the uncertainty of events, exists amongst the sorely-tried people of Connemara; that politics are referred to only with disgust and that not more than fifty per cent. of the people would vote at a general election; that poverty and unemployment are rife, and there is a growing tendency towards emigration; and that there are bitter complaints of the huge impost of rates and taxes.
It is only too true that there is enough of material for the pessimist to brood over, and that a feeling of gloom permeates country towns. But it is a poor tribute to patriotism that has survived such horrors to encourage this gloom.
It is the duty of all of us to get this pessimism out of the national body and to rid ourselves of the notion that we have not enough Christianity and moral sense left to restore our people to cheerful and ordered progress and industry.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
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1923
Peace negotiations
As we go to press, An Dáil is discussing the Peace negotiations between the Government and Mr. de Valera. It was announced on Wednesday for the first time that such negotiations were begun following Mr. de Valera’s “cease fire” proclamation of April 27, and that by the 30th of the month Senators Andrew Jameson and James Douglas were asked by him to discuss proposals.
They said it was for the Government to discuss; they could only confer. Into the ensuring conferences the Government declined to enter personally, but on May 3 the senators placed before Mr. de Valera the Cabinet’s terms, which were that future issues should be decided by the majority vote of the elected representatives of the people, and that as a corollary and a preliminary to the release of prisoners, all lethal weapons should be in the custody and control of the Executive Government.
Mr. de Valera relied to this on May 7 with a document in which he agreed to majority rule and control of arms, but added that arms should be stored in a suitable building in each province under armed Republican guard until after the elections in September, that the oath should not be made a test in the councils of the nation, and that all political prisoners should be released immediately on the signing of this agreement.
“You have brought back to us,” wrote President Cosgrave, “not an acceptance of our conditions, but a long and wordy document inviting debate where none is possible”.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
1923
State of the parties
Speculation as to parties after the next Irish elections is exceedingly interesting, especially in view of the enlarged franchise.
In Dublin, the view appears to be held by a number of people that Labour will make a great bid for power.
Dublin, however, has a curiously insular habit of thought where matters that concern all Ireland and in which Ireland has a say are concerned. We hope this insularity will rapidly disappear under the new conditions.
The country as a whole is backing the Farmers’ Party, and has not the smallest doubt that it will be the strongest combination in the next Dáil, and that it will oust the purely political parties, the one because it has resorted to force, the other because it has been compelled to use force to supress force, and the Labour Party because Ireland feels that at the back of its policy lurks the danger of Communism.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
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