The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-17
AN IRISH-AMERICAN ARMY.
Reports That The EembsrS OIL the Clau-
Ea-GaeI Is Drilling Verified.
LIBERAlIHG IRELAND THE OBJECT.
Colonel Roger 4. scnnneli, rronatnene
Member OF tho Organization, says the
Time for Oratory and Moral suasion
Has Passed THE Outlook.

BOSTON. MASS. I%c. IA dispatch
printed this morning. as TO the formation
OF an lrish-American army for the iip-
GRAFTON Ireland in the principal cities OF
the country. was shown to-day 10 Cot
oncl Roger +. Scanneh, one OF the old
est members OF the Ancient Order Of
Hibernians In this section OF The country.
and who is also prominently identinsd
with the Clan-Na-Gael. and other Irish
organizations.
You can say Tor me-" said Colonel
Scanneli, that there are already In this
city several companies formed OF the
Irish American army. Tney have been
drilling regularly IN their respective naiiss
and most Of the members are good
shooters.
The companies are located in the city
proper. South Boston. East Boston.
Charlestown, and Roxbury. and, all told.
there are i.S0o men enrolled In the new
organization.
RIFE PRACTICE.
In addition to drilling In their respcc-
tive halls, the members take advantage
OF the holidays and 20 out into the woods
where they practice with their rifles.
THE leaders OF tho movement are mlIl-
tary men nearly all OF whom are vet
erans.
The bulk OF the organization Is mostly
young men. who are imbued with en-
thusiasm, and are ready 10 do all IN
their power for aiding their native land
The Cian-Na-Gael believes in open war
fare and are opposed to so much secrecy
In the agitation OF the freedom OF Ire
land"
They intend TO have il conducted I'm
a more open manner and upon broader
principles. 1t has been proven In the
past in all Irish movements, that the So
crecy which prevailed. resulted IN det-
riment TO the cause.
This was due no doubt TO the sslfishness
OF the leaders OF the movement In many
of the Irish movements large amounts
Of money have been contributed by the
Irish people, and the handling OF these
larger amounts OF money Is tempeting to
all parties
QUESTIONS OF RELIGION
At present. ther Is difference OF opin-
ion among the leaders of the movement on
the question OF religion entering into H.
Some OF the leaders argue that from
the days OF Henry Grattan. Protestant
lrishmen have been as faithful as Cath
Ollie Irlshmen In their devotion TO the "Old
Sod"
In the ranks OF the Clan-Na-Gsel, ara
many protestant Irishmen, including min
listers. and they have been true and stead
fast members OF the order.
ON the other h-nd IL has been proven
that informers were Protestant Irishmen,
who were the hired officials OF the British
Government.
Among Clan-N -Gaes. the question they.
are now discussing II whether, In this new
movement. IL IL safe 10 trust 30 import
ant = matter TO the Protestant Irishmen.
This irish-American Army must not
be confounded with the Ancient order OF
Hibernians.
1T Is true that there are thousands OF
Hbernans who are also Clan-na -Gaels.
The Ancient order, however. is a benevo-
lent organization, but at the same time
they are loyal in their devotion TO the
native land"
Colonel Scannell added the time for ora
tory had gone by and We must be ready
for other means.
while Parnell lived we thought that
Ireland would receive what It ought to
by moral suasion, but having failed I'm
that direction, we must try some other
method.
STRENGTH OF THE ORDER.
Some idea OF the strength OF the Clam
na-Gael in this country" said Colonel
Scannen. "can be gained from the state
ment that there are fully 10000 men en-
rolled In the organization. Councils for
the Clan-na-Gael are established In every
State in the Union.
"The union is strongest In Chicago and
Philadelphia, while New YORK ana Boston
come next In order.
There is no reason why, II the Tory
Government cannot give ireland what She
is entitled, that IT is now time that the
Irish. who are I'm a position TO demand
their rights. should avail themselves OF
different means to try and obtain them.
Europe was never so long In peace
and a slumber before. and she cannot re-
main I'm that position much longer
In closing the Colonel said
european wars must take place now
and again, and N anything should happen
the Irish American will be found ready
for the conflict: that the Hub OF the Uni
verse will furnish its complement OF the
array"