The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-17
A NEW IRlSH-AMERICAN ARMY.
OF IRELAND THE Oh
JECT OF ITS MEMBERS.

Most of the Men in Its Ranks Re-
cruited From the CIan-Na-GaeI.
Many Members of the Ancient Or
der of Hibernians Also in the Or
ganizatiOn-The Total Membership
said TO BE About 1000.
Boston, Dec. ia dispatch printed
this morning as to the formation of an
Irish-American army for the liberation
Of Ireland in the principal cities of the
country. was shown to-day to Col. Roger
f. Scannell, one of the oldest members
Of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in
this section of the country. and who is
also prominently identified with the
Clan-Na-Gael and other Irish organiza-
tions.
You can say for me-" said Col. Scan
nell, that there are already in this city
several companies formed of the Irish
American army. They have been drill
ing regularly in their respective halls
and most of the members are good shoot
ers. The companies are located in the
city proper, South Boston, East Boston,
Charlestown and Roxbury, and all told
there are 1900 men enrolled in the new
organization.
In addition to drilling in their re-
spective halls the members of the or
ganization take advantage of the holi-
days and go out into the woods where
they practice with their rifles.
The leaders of the movement are mill
tiamen, nearly all of whom are well
trained They are ready to do all in
their power for aiding their native land.
The Clan4Na-Gael believes in open
warfare and are opposed to so much Sc
crecy in the agitation of freedom for
They intend TO have it conducted in a
more open manner and upon broader
principles. 1t has been proven in the past
i'm all Irish movements that the set8acy
which prevailed resulted in detfiment to
This was due. no doubt. to the selhsh>
ness 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 large amounts OF money IS tempt
"At present there is a difference of
opinion among the leaders of the move
ment on the question Of religion entering
Some of the leaders argue that from
the days of Henry Grattan Protestant
1rishmen have been as faithful as Catholic
Irishmen in their devotion to the old Sod
"In the ranks of the C1an-Na-Gael are
many Protestant Irishmen, including min
listers, and they have been true and stead
fast members of the order.
ION the other hand 1t has been proven
that infolmerS were Protestant lr1Shmen,
who were the hired officials Of the British.
Among Clan-Na-Gaels, the question
they are now discussing IS,
whether, in this new movement, it Is safe
TO trust so important a matter to the Pro-
testant Irishmen.
This Irish-American army must not be
cohfounded with the Ancient Order of
Hib' rnians.
"It is true that there are thousands of
Hiberrians 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 their
native land"
Col. scannell added "The time for ora
tory has 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 in
that direction, we must try some other
methods.
Some idea of the strength of the Clan
Na-Gael in this country" said Col. Sean
nell, can be gained from the statement
that there are fully 100000 enrolled 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
and Boston come next in order
There is no reason why Ireland should
the time and they should avail themselves
of different means to try and obtain it,
In closing the colonel said: European
wars must take place now and again, and
If anything should happen the Irish-Amer-
lean will be found ready for the conflict
and the Hub of the Universe will fur
nish its complement Of the army"