The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-05
HE WANTS RETALIATION
COCHRAN MAKES A BITTER ATTACK
ON GREAT BRITAIN.
Says the United States Should Cripple
England's Power to Carry on the
War-Assails Mckinley.


sary of the birth Of Robert Emmet, the
Irish patriot, which was celebrated tonight
at the Academy of Music by the combined
Clan-na Gael organizations of this city, W.,
Bourke Cochran bitterly denounced the at
titude of the administration at Washing
ton toward England in her affairs In South
Africa and almost advocated retaliation on
the part of the United States. Mr.. Cock
ran, introduced by Recorder John w. Gof.
who presided at the meeting, said, in part:
1--WE celebrate tonight the anniversary
of the birth of one of the greatest figures
in the martyrology of a nation. His life
Vas a struggle for justice, his insurrection
was a blow for justice, and with justice
the Irish race is always in sympathy.
Never in the history Of the Irish race has
it's love of justice been so signally shown
as of late. The momert an act Of injustice
was perpetrated. even against an alien
race, the sense of justice in the Irish race
rose. 1t has been said that the attitude of
Ireland toward England in the matter of
the South hAfricanRepublic was due to jeal-
ousy This is not true, and the present an
niversary in America cannot be better
passed than by explaining why 1t is untrue.
The whole of the civiiized world condemns
this war. The Irish opinion is not unique.
1t is the same as that of the rest of the
civilized world. But England says it is
jealousy. Now, If Ireland opposes this war
because of jealousy, and other nations op-
pose it because they are hostile. then Eng
land must be In most difficult position.
England seeks to some extent to justify
this war by our example, the example set
by this government, not by this people.
Now, 1t is said again that the people of this
country must remain neutral. That is as
1t should be. But deny that this country
has been neutral. There was long before
this war in South Africa began, a ques-
tion between England and the United
States regarding the Alaskan boun-
dary. There Is claim pending 1 do not
say that the moment this war began in
South Africa we should have made a claim
against England, but do say that the ad-
vancement of pending claim should not
have been delayed one moment We ceased
at that time to be neutral. If the United
States administration had gone on enforc.
ing that claim this war would never have
begun. The Canadian troops would have
had abundant business at home
Kinley said there was no alliance with
England i believe that. 1t rs not an alli-
ance. 1t is a surrender, surrender of the
control of our foreign policy into the hands
of the Foreign Office. We do not get any
thing. We give up. and the government
discharges a consul at Pretoria because he
complained that his mail had been opened
A boy twenty-four years old is put in his
place, the son of our former ambassador
and more than that, he gets his last in
structions, not from the government at
Washington, but from the Foreign Office
in London"
Mr.. Cochran closed with an arraignment
of England's methods of so-called civilizing
influence, and spoke of the possible out
growth of the war. with what Joy and
satisfaction we watched the strong arm of
our country stretched to save and rescue a
neighboring people from the grinding Span
ish tyranny of two hundred years! How
deeply we regret that international law and
obligations prevent US from extending the
same practical symathy to the Beers rs
we did to the Cubans. We are told that 1t
is no concern OF ours. Our answer is that
an assault upon liberty and independence
in any part OF the world is the concern of
every man and every country who have
had to fight for them and who are ready
to fight TO defend them
Recorder Con also referred to the state
ment by President Mckinley that there
existed between this country and England
no entanglements or alliance. and stated
that we must not be unreasonable. but re-
member that as loyal American citizens we
must give the government loyal and honest
support and accept the statements given
by the administration.