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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 May 1923

Vol. 3 No. 11

PROPOSALS FOR PEACE.

I beg to ask the President the following question, of which I have given him private notice: —"If he is yet in a position to give the Dáil any information arising out of the statement published in the newspapers of Saturday, the 28th ultimo, over the name of ‘Eamon de Valera'?"

It will be recalled that Mr. de Valera issued through the Press, on the evening of Friday, 27th April, the following document:—

"DAIL EIREANN

"(Government of the Republic of Ireland).

"PROCLAMATION.

"The Government of the Republic, anxious to contribute its share to the movement for peace, and to found it on principles that will give governmental stability and otherwise prove of value to the nation, hereby proclaims its readiness to negotiate an immediate cessation of hostilities on the basis of the following:—

"1. That the sovereign rights of this nation are indefeasible and inalienable.

"2. That all legitimate governmental authority in Ireland, legislative, executive, and judicial, is derived exclusively from the people of Ireland.

"3. That the ultimate court of appeal for deciding disputed questions of national expediency and policy is the people of Ireland—the judgment being by majority vote of the adult citizenry, and the decision to be submitted to, and resistance by violence excluded, not because the decision is necessarily right or just or permanent, but because acceptance of this rule makes for peace, order, and unity in national action, and is the democratic alternative to arbitrament by force. Adequate opportunities and facilities must, of course, be afforded for a full and proper presentation to the Court of all the facts and issues involved, and it must be understood that 1 and 2 are fundamental and non-judicable.

"4. That no individual, or class of individuals, who subscribe to these principles of national right, order and good citizenship, can be justly excluded by any political oath, test, or other device, from their proper share and influence in determining national policy, or from the Councils and Parliament of the nation.

"5. That freedom to express political or economic opinions, or to advocate political or economic programmes, freedom to assemble in public meeting, and freedom of the Press, are rights of citizenship and of the community which must not be abrogated.

"6. That the military forces of the nation are the servants of the nation, and, subject to the foregoing, amenable to the National Assembly when freely elected by the people.

"We are informed that many in the ranks of our opponents will accept these principles, as we accept them. If that be so, peace can be arranged forthwith.

"We hope that this advance will be met in the spirit in which we make it, and that it will be supported by all who love our country, and who desire a speedy and just ending to the present national troubles.

"As evidence of our own good-will, the Army Command is issuing herewith an order to all units to suspend aggressive action—the order to take effect as soon as may be, but not later than noon, Monday, April 30.

"EAMON DE VALERA

(President).

"Dublin, April 27th, 1923.

"Oglaigh na h-Eireann (Irish Republican Army).

"General Headquarters, Dublin, April 27th, 1923.

"Ard Oifig, Ath-Cliath.

"Dept. C.S. Ref. No. Special Army Order.

"To O.C.'s Commands and Independent Brigades.

"SUSPENSION OF OFFENSIVE.

"1. In order to give effect to decision of the Government and Army Council embodied in attached Proclamation of this date, you will arrange the suspension of all offensive operations in your area as from noon Monday, April 30.

"2. You will ensure that—whilst remaining on the defensive—all units take adequate measures to protect themselves and their munitions.

"FRANK AIKEN, Chief of Staff.

"Enc. 1."

On Monday, 30th ultimo, Senators Andrew Jameson and James Douglas were asked by Mr. de Valera to meet him and discuss proposals for peace.

The Senators reported the matter to the President on Wednesday, 2nd May, and conveyed to him a request from Mr. de Valera for a conference. The President declined to accede to this request for a personal conference, but Senators Douglas and Jameson were authorised to lay before Mr. de Valera the following document as embodying the terms on which peace could be arranged:—

"All political action within the country should be based on a recognition by every party in the State of the following principles of order:—

(a)That all political issues whether now existing or in the future arising shall be decided by the majority vote of the elected representatives of the people:

(b)As a corollary to (a) that the people are entitled to have all lethal weapons within the country in the effective custody or control of the Executive Government responsible to the people through their representatives.

The acceptance of these principles and practical compliance with (b) by the surrender of arms to be the preliminary condition for the release of prisoners who shall be required to subscribe individually to (a) and (b).

Signed in acceptance of the foregoing principles, this... day of May, 1923."

On the 3rd of May the two Senators had an interview with Mr. de Valera, and on May 7th had a subsequent one, after which meeting they brought back from Mr. de Valera the following document:

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