The Washington herald., 1909-02-08
United League Branch Holds
Enthusiastic Meeting.
GREAT PROGRESS IS SHOWN
Gathering in New National Theater
Is Addressed by Famous Speakers
Audience subserfbes Liberally TO
Advance the Work Of the League.
PreSent-day Scenes Pictured.


vas the keynote Of speeches made last
night IN the New National Theater, at the
meeting Of Michael Davitt branch OF the
United Irish League OF America
The speakers. ". Bourke Cochran,
Representative from New York: William
z. Curtis. writer and traveller; Michael J.
Ryan, president Of the league. and Rev
Dr. Abram Simon, united in singing the
praises Of Irish reforms and the COnstTUC-
tional work of the Irish Parliamentary
party. ending with an impassiOned ap-
peal for financial assistance by M Ryan.
Those IN the audience responded hber-
ally. and $50 was contributed The Off
GERS hope TO raise Sl.e0e. The money VIII
be used in advancing the work Of the
league in Ireland.
Representative Cochran presided as
chairman. He introduced Nr- Curtis, who
delivered the lecture OF the evening, Illus
trated with stereopticOn views The slides
were obtained by the writer when he
made his recent trip 10 Ireland. and
showed in color and detail many quaint
scenes in the Celtic hills. Pictures Of
Iaborers' houses, old and new, served as
an illustration OF the advance made IN re-
the Irish wOTkingman-
Good Results Achieved.
In his opening address. Representative
Cochran described the work accomplished
by the Parliamentary party. and said
substantial results had been obtained IN
The past ten years He said the Ireland
Of thirty years ago would hardly be
recognized as the country 1t IS to-day
The speaker declared Ireland TO be the
only country where the citizens do not
own the ground they live on. and have
no representation in the government
Ireland Is now entering into her Own,
however, he said, and is beginning 70 get
possession OF the soil He said he had
10 doubt as to the ultimate outcome Of
the present movement. saying that Ire
land has suffered 50 much IN the past.
and Vet has not been rended, that she
has proved her mettle and shown herself
capable Of winning the present fight
The government Is not ready 70 DO
justice by Ireland declared Mr. Cochran
There IS a great deal OF political pan
derIng and discussion. many fair promises
are made, and the increasing prosperity
Of the country is talked Of. but there can
be no great prosperity unless the people
own the soil; there can be no prosperity
unless the people are self-ruIed-'
Conditions Are Improved.
Mr. Curtis told Of the conditions as he
saw them on MS recent trip, saying they
were greatly improved in many parts He
said the western portion OF the island
was too heavily populated for the I'm
poverished land. and the people are for
the most part poverty stricken In the
eastern portion Of the island, however.
he said conditions were excellent and
the people appeared to be prospering.
Mr Curtis said education was being
advanced and temperance was success
fully crOwding out intemperance. Many
Of the workingmen own their own houses
and land. and are in e more DrosDerous
condition than for thirty or fifty years
Mr.. Curtis said the Irish people had
helped themselves 50 wonderfully that
they deserved the assistance OF the whole
world He commented on their hardihood
and wit and said that under proper
conditions the race would be one Of the
greatest IN the world
COlored slides OF Blarney Castle. and
PaTnelI Castle, once the homes Of the
Davitts and O'COnnors. were shown. the
lecturer adding anecdotes and incidents
tending 20 hold the interest Of the audi
ence and 70 obviate the sameness Of the
professional lecturer
New Homes sor LaborerS.
Illustrating more forcibly than anv-
thing said By the speakers. probably.
were pictures OF the new cottages pro-
vided by the government for the labor
ing men in many portions OF the land.
Pictures OF the stone huts occuDied BY
Irishmen IN years past. and in some
sections at present were first thrown
on the screen. Then came slides giving
diagrams OF the new houses. interior
and exterior, and clearly defining their
advantages over the old-fashIoned homes.
Ireland stands alone There IS no
other country Ike her in the world. IN
no other nation are there 5,0o0Oo0 homes
controlled and IN the grasp Of 300 OWL
eTs." said President Ryan, n addressing
the meeting
The speaker declared that American
public opinion is needed 70 push forward
the fight for freedom in Ireland He
said that IN every one Of Engiand's DOS
sessions the people were allowed 10 gov
ern themselves with the exception Of
India and Ireland. In both Of these
places. he said. much suffering. poverty,
and distress are TO be found
More Funds Needed.
"I appeal 10 the people Of Washington
for their assistance and Endorsement -
said Mr.. Ryan "Electing members 70
Parliament Is an expensive business. and
there Is need OF much money In this
country the members Of Congress are
paid fair salaries. are allowed railroad
expenses. have clerks provided for them.
are allowed 20 use franks on their let
ters. and in many other ways save
money. In Ireland the member serves for
the love Of his country, receiving no pay
whatsoever.
This is not a blind crusade declared
the speaker. 1T Is a propaganda OF IN
tellect. We mean TO reason with Eng
land and try TO prick the conscience of
the OppTessoTE rather than resort 90 any
reckless or futile means
Later, Mr.. Ryan declared that money
IS the test OF Irish patriotism" adding
that talk counted for very little unless
backed up with a little action and money
He then appealed 10 those present TO con
tribute.
William T. Downey started the sub
FcriDtion with 800 Others contributed as
follows: P Shugrue. SIS; P. J. Bren-