The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-07-17
PLAN
Aid For The Irish Volunteers
In New York

New York, July 16-In response to
a call issued by President Michael j.
Ryan the members of the national exc
cutive committee of the United Irish
League of America assembled in this
city today for what is considered one
of the most important meetings ever
held by that body. The principal mat
ter to be considered and acted upon
at the meeting is the question of aid
ing the Nationalist Volunteer move
ment. A short time ago President
Ryan received cable message from
John Redmond, the Irish parliament
tary leader relative to the Volunteer
movement asking that it be given
assistance through the league.
Since the Nationalist Volunteer
movement was started its career has
been watched closely by many inter
ested in the Home Rule struggle.
When Mr.. Redmond saw that men
who were not active workers for
Home Rule were getting control Of the
organization he sent out a manifesto
requesting that the Irish parliamen-
tary party be given representation on
the board of government. At first
some of the provisional committee
tried to dodge the issue, but Mr.. Red.
mond told the rank and file to elect
their own county officers, and as the
Volunteers were nearly all affiliated
with the Home Rule movement, this
served to put check on the plans
of the Dublin committee.
Already movements have been start
ed in America to collect funds and in
| other ways aid the Nationalist Volun-
teers. There is talk of forming com.
panies to go across to join the ranks.
| No body of men could start from the
| United States as an organized band to
join any movement on the other side
for the United States Government
would not permit it and the English
| Government could prevent a landing
II is pointed out, however, that this
| would not interfere with individuals
going across. But they could not
carry arms. The difficulty now con
fronting he newly organized Volun
teers is to get equipment. That some
means may be open seems evident
from Mr.. Redmonds cable message
for assistance.
OF course neither the National Vol
unteers nor the Ulster Volunteers
have any legal standing, but those who
have followed the nsituation closely
| believe that both bodies ultimately
must be reckoned with by the British
Government. If there is any fighting
in Ireland it is very likely to have fal
reaching effects.
In addition to considering the ques
ton of aiding the Volunteer move
present meeting is expected to decide
the matter of holding national con
vention of the United Irish League
this year. 1t is the general opinion
that a convention will be held, prob
ably in October, and that 1t will take
place either in Boston or Philadel
phia. 1t is hoped that the convention
will be attended by delegation repre-
senting the Nationalist party, headed
by John Redmond and including JohI
Dillon, T. p. O'Connor, Joseph Dev
ling and other noted leaders. If sucl
u delegation comes over it is pro
posed to have the members make al
extensive tour of the United States
and Canada, addressing meetings tC
be held in New York, Philadelphia
Boston, Chicago, Montreal Toronto
and other cities, thanking thu
IrishAmericans for the support giver
the Home Rule movement.