On Tuesday, when the debate was continued, Mr. Etchingham, the
Minister for Fisheries, declared that the Treaty would mean the perpetual subjection of the Irish people. Mr. Lynch, another of the delegates to London, said that he had signed the Treaty because it was one which would " deliver the goods."
Mr. De Valera's alternative would do nothing of the sort. At two o'clock, in spite of angry protests, the Dail went into secret session onoe more. When the public session was resumed later in the afternoon Mr. Milroy revealed the terms of Mr. De Valera's alternative oath. It rune :—
" I do swear to bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitu- tion of Ireland and to the treaty of the association of Ireland with the British Commonwealth of Nations, and to recognize the King of Great Britain as the head of the associated States."
Mr. 3.fcCartan announced that, in his opinion, the Republic of which Mr. De Valera was President was dead. It depended on unity among the Irish people, and there was no longer unity. Let the Treaty be accepted. Most of the Republican Army would say, " What is good enough for Mick Collins is good enough for me."
