The Irish standard., 1906-05-26

McGoush as an EnSiiShman. One OF
me athletes who Won laurelS under
the French flag bears an Irish name.
Shewing who won the Marathon race,
is of Irish descent, but neither Ireland
nor Canada gets credit for his victory,
because he is nothing but an English
man. The Australian athletes are also
branded as Englishmen. 1t does not
matter that a large proportion of this
team bore distinctly Irish names.
There is one consolation, however,
| for Ireland, her athletes did not sub
nit tamely to the edict of royalty, and
though not officially recognized, their
protest proclaimed TO the assembled
thousands that the Irish people have
no love OF respect for the Union Jack.
The English press bureaus concealed
Australia received the same con-
temptuous treatment as Ireland. The
Canadian victories We're reported
separately in the press dispatches
| The English bureaus did not wish to
emphasize the fact that Canada and
| Australia We're unknown quantities
Nor would it tend To promote the
| loyalty of the Canadians and Aus
| tlalians should they know that they
have no standing among the nations.
| Denmark is of far more Importance
politically than Canada, With her
| boundlcss area and her growing wealth
and population.
The Scotch, who are sticklers for
the term. British" had to submit to
The designation "l2nglish," and evil
protest. The royal coterie which
promulgated this ruling or edict was
composed of the reignng families of
Greece and of England. The King and
the Queen of England were present,
and no doubt the ruling of Prince
George voiced the wishes of the rulers
OF England. The term English is
therefore in the opinion of King Ed
ward the proper and correct designa-
ton for his subjects in Canada, Aus
| tralia and Scotland. OF course, the
inhabitants of Canada and of Aus
tralia have no right TO chose IL desig-
nation for themselves, this right be-
longs by heredity to the English
sovereign.
The ruling of Prince George, of
Greece, may appear trivial and OF lit
tie Importance to outsiders. 1t has M
concern or significance for Americans
1t has, however, Il significance for the
people concerned, for it brings home
TO the Scotch, the Canadians, and the
Australians the painful, humiliating
fact that they have no separate ma
tionality. that they are not recognized
by the other nations, and when they
partake in any international event.
POLITICAL social or athletic, that they
must partake as Englishmen, Or par
take not at all; and this in spite of the
| fact that they may not be of English
blood. This classification must be
CALLING to Il people having any feelings
of pride or any national aspirations.
1t is highly ludfcrous to see IL people
like the Canadians, who are nomnally
in possession Of a country larger in
area than the United States, it is. in
deed. ludcrous to see such a people
| willing to efface themselves at the
Councils OF the Nations. and to re-
main forever vassals of {, monarchy
three thousand miles away.
| Australia is in the same category
as Canada. Her people possess a
continent at the opposite side of the
earth, yet they rejoice in self efface-
ment, or, more correctly, self-abase-
ment. There is no mention Whatever
of Wales.
| Ireland is an unwilling partner in
the blood stained Empire, the nations
are aware of her sorrows and of her
many struggles for freedom. and the
struggle will continue until Ireland
takes her place among the nations.