The Irish standard., 1914-06-20
The practicability of getting arms

The practicability of getting arms
into Ireland has been demonstrated
by the Orange Volunteers in most
striking manner since the issuance
of the prohibition. II the money is
forthcoming the arms can be got in,
and once a few thousand have been
landed. an attempt at disarmament
would be one of the most serious
problems that the British Govern
ment has ever had to face in Ireland
made all the more serious by the
near prospect of a great foreign
war.
The Irish National Volunteers rep
resent in their ranks and on their
governing body, the Provisional Com
mittee, every section and shade of
Nationalist opinion in ireland. Par
liamentarians, Sim Feiners, Ad-
vanced Nationalist, Hibernians and
Protestants, all stand shoulder to
shoulder and work in harmony for
the common good of the country.
They take no part in political work
and confine their efforts to me crea-
ton of National Army of Defence.
Whatever party may be in power in
Dublin, the National Volunteers are
pledged to obey it and to be its
strong right arm. While differing
among themselves as to the merits
of Home Rule, they are sternly a.
greed that whatever progress may be
made in enlarging the scope of the
J present Bill, there shall be no back
ward step for Ireland in the future.
On the same lines it is proposed
to make this committee the basis of
great permanent organization that
will have for it's sole object the rem
dering of all possible aid to the peo-
pie of Ireland in maintaining a Citi-
zen Army of National Defence, with
out meddling in political discussions,
or asking any Irishman who is will
ing to aid in that work what kind Of
government he wants in Dublin.
But a government in Dublin there
must be and that Government must
have jurisdiction over every square
foot of Ireland.
We hope to see a good beginning
| II Nd th4
steadily until the Irish Government
is able to make the necessary finan-
cial provisions for military and naval
defence in Ireland.
Like the National Volunteers in
Ireland, we have no hostile inten-
lions in regard to the men who have
organized to resist the establishment
of any kind of National Government
in Dublin. The best guarantee of
peace in Ireland is Ireland's ability
to protect herself, and the rapid
growth of this new movement has
already gone long way towards
averting blood shed. Armed men
respect armed men and the fraterni-
zation that has already begun be-
tween Orange and Nationalist volun-
teers in parts of Ulster affords
ground for hope that the two forces
may yet become one. If that day
should come a United Ireland would
dictate her own terms to England
and religious strife would forever
disappear from the land.
! We confidently ask for a generous
response to this appeal and for active
energetic work In the formation of
local committees. Every man and
woman of Irish race in America
should contribute and those who can
afford it should make their contribu-
lions large.
Checks and Post Office orders
should be made payable to the Treas
urer, Denis A. Spellisy. and forward
y ed to him at his office address. 256
Broadway, New York. All subscrip-
lions will be announced in the Irish
American weekly press. In a short
time hondsome receipt of appropri-
ate Gaelic design will be sent to
every subscriber which he can pre-
serve as evidence that he has con-
tributed to the establishment of Ire
lands National Army of Defence.
THE AMERICAN PROVISIONAL
COMMITTEE IRISH NATIONAL
| VOLUNTEERS.
Joseph Mccarthy, Chairman. 5412
Springfield Ave., Philadelphia, Pa.
Dennis A. Spellissy, Treasurer, 256
Broadway, New York.
Patrick j. Griffin, Secretary. P. O.