The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-17
Most of the Members Good Shots
and Drilled With Great
Regularity.
so SAYS COLONEL sCANNELL.
Leaders of the Movement Are Military
Veterans and Well Versed
in War.

BOSTON, MASS, Dec. 15.-The dispatch
printed this morning as to the formation
OF an Irish-American army for the liberia
tion of Ireland in the principal cities of
the country was shown to-day to Colonel
Roger F. Scanneu, one of the oldest men,
bers of the Ancient Order OF Hibernians
also prominently identified with the Clan
na-Gael and other Irish organizations.
"You can say for me-" said Colonel
Scannell, "that there are already in this
city several companies formed of the Irish
American army. They have been drilling
regularly in their respective halls 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 1900 men enrolled in the new
organization.
SIN addition to drilling in their
respective halls the members of the
organization take additional holidays and
go out into the woods. where they practice
with their rifles. The leaders of the move
ment are military men. nearly all of whom
are veterans. The bulk of the organiza-
y
with enthusiasm and are ready to do all in
their power for aiding their native land.
"The Claa-na-Gaels believe in open war
fare and are opposed to so much secrecy in
the agitation for the freedom of Ireland.
They intend to have it conducted in more
open manner and upon broader principles.
1t has been proved in the past in all Irish
movements that the more secrecy which
prevailed resulted in detriment to the
cause. This was due no doubt to the
selfishness of the leaders of the movement
In many cf the Irish movements large
amounts of money have been contributed
by the Irish people and the handling of
these large amounts of money is tempting
to all parties.
"At present there is difference of opin-
ion among the leaders of the movement
on the question of religion entering into it.
Some of the leaders argue that from the
days of Henry Grattan, Protestant Irish
men have been as faithful as Catholic
Irishmen in their devotion to the 'oId sod.'
In the ranks of the Clan-na- Gael are many
Protestant Irishmen, including ministers,
and they have been true and steadfast
me m bers of the order. On the other hand
it has been proved that informers were
Protestant Irishmen 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 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 Hibernians who are also
Clan-na-Gaels. The ancient order, how
ever, is benevolent organization, but at
the same time they are loyal in their de-
votion to their native land
Colonel Scannell added that the time for
oratory had gone by and 1--WE must be
ready for other means. While Parnell
lived we thought that Ireland would re-
ceive 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 Colonel
Scannell, "can be gained from the state
ment that there are 700, 900 men enrolled
in the organization. Councils for the Clan
na-Gael are established in every State in
the Union. The union is strongest in Chi
cago and Philadelphia, while New York
and Boston come next in order.
"There is no reason why, if the Tory
Government cannot give Ireland what she
is entitled to, it is not now time that the
Irish, who are in 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