Late on Thursday evening, December 8th, Mr. De Valera caused
a great sensation by publishing a statement unfavourable to the Settlement. It was addressed To the Irish People."
" You have seen in the publics press," he wrote, " the text of the proposed Treaty with Great Britain. The terms of this agreement are in violent conflict with the wishes of the majority of this nation as expressed freely in successive elections during the past three years. I feel it my duty to inform you imme- diately that I cannot recommend the acceptance of this Treaty either to Dail Eireann or to the country. In this attitude I am supported by the Ministers for Home Affairs and Defence. A public session of Dail Eireann is being summoned for Wednes- day next at 11 o'clobk a.m. I ask the people to maintain during the interval the same discipline as heretofore. The members of the Cabinet, though divided in opinions, are prepared to carry on the public services as usual. The army is, of course, not affected by the political situation, and continues under the same orders and control. The great test of our people has come. Let ns face it worthily, without bitterness, and above all, without recriminations. There is a definite constitutional way of resolv- ing all political differences. Let us not depart from it, and lot.
the conduct of the Cabinet in this matter be an example to the whole nation."
It became known at the same time that Messrs. Griffith, Barton, Cosgravo and Michael Collins had expressed their intention to 823 carry through the Settlement if they could possibly do so. Messrs. Stack and Brugha ranged themselves on the side of Mr. De Valera. The Sinn Fein Cabinet majority for the Treaty was thus 4 to 3.
