ter, outlined Britain's proposal of dominion status for Ireland. Agreeing to such a status would require Ireland to swear allegiance to the King, give England control over the seas surrounding Ireland, limit Ireland's armaments and assume partial responsibility for the Empire's debt. De Valera realized that while dominion status had successfully achieved some semblance of sovereignty for nations such as Canada, Australia and South Africa the proximity of Ireland to Britain would prevent such an occurrence. He replied "the Irish people's belief is that the national destiny can best be realised in political detachment, free from Imperialistic entanglements which they feel will involve enterprises out of harmony with the national character, prove destructive of their ideals and be fruitful only of ruinous wars". With these conditions in mind, De Valera and the Cabinet chose the delegates to the conference. Arthur Griffith was selected as the head of the committee largely due to his moderate stance on the alliance issue. Collins, the leader of the IRB was notably more committed to the republican ideal; however, it was conceivable that Collins might yield to the proposal of the dominion if it appeared the most logical progression towards independence for Ireland. The Cabinet and De Valera selected Robert Baron, De Valera's friend and cousin, to balance the staunch republicanism of Collins and Griffith. Two lawyers of opposite ideologies, Eamonn Duggan and George Gavan Duffy, completed the delegation. They five representatives were sent to England under the following conditions: 1.They had "full powers as defined by their credentials."2.Prior to any final decision, the delegation would present the proposals before the Dublin Cabinet for approval.3.Any "draft treaty about to be signed" would be presented to the Cabinet.4.The Cabinet would be kept abreast of the negotiations. De Valera refused to join the plenipotentiaries in London o...
