The Washington herald., 1915-11-17
For Ireland.

this country after being sentenced by the British
authorities to six months Imprisonment for max
ing speech in which he exhorted Irishmen no,
to enlist. What Mr.. Skefington says is not very
important. One can see the same thing any day
in the Irish World. But it raises an importsn,
question: What should be the attitude of the neu-
trail toward ireland and the Irish? All non-Irish-
Americans wish ireland we'll. But what more
should they wish her? Would it really be for the
good Of Ireland that she should take the advice
of Mr.. Skefington and others who, living in
America, where they cannot suffer from the re-
suits of the policies they advocate, urge Ireland
to continued and increased hostility to England
Or will she do better to take the advice of John
Redmond-the only Irishman that has brought
Ireland within sight of home rue-and take her
place as loyal member of the British Empire?
The question is not sentimental but prac-
teal one. Mr.. Skefhngton's emotions hatred
and revenge, but he is not in a position to hurt
England with them, and England has compelled
him to do his hating at long distance, which must
be unpleasant to any true lrishman. Mr.. Red
mond, on the other hand, counsels burying the
Ratchet and forgetting the past, since the tale Of
wrong, however grievous it be, cannot be undonc.
Because England led Ireland dogs life for many
years in the past is reason why ireland should
for the pleasure of growing at her one-time OPP
pressor and hoping for opportunity to bite her
in the leg.
ireland presents great opportunities to those
who would help her material fortunes, but no
Irishman from America ever takes his money back
to Ireland with him and spends it in healing Ire
lands wounds. On the other hand, money has
been collected in large quantities in this country
to supply the Nationalist with guns with which
to fight the Ulstermen, who, it appears were
equally we'll supplied with the impedmenta of
slaughter.
The neutral cannot lend his sympathes to
either side in this controversy. Whichever party
is right, whichever wrong-and no doubt, as al
ways, there is right and wrong both sides-hc
can only be sad at heart to think that Irishmen-
for they are all Irishmen-should be quareling
among themselves, when united they could make
for themselves so great place in the history of
the race Only one thing has come about in many
decades, great emotion in response to which
these warning factions have been moved to think
less of their differences and look for basis of
common understanding and that thing is the
war; war in which Nationalists and Ulstermen
could reap all the spiritual benefit that comes
to one-time enemies who fight side by side for a
common cause.
Mr.. Redmond has stated that nearly quarter
of million Irishmen, Nationalists and Ulster
men, fighting in the armies of the British
Empire today. What would those men think of
Mr.. Skefhngton and his creed of hate? Mr.. Skef-
hngton points out that since the outbreak of the
war only 81 900 men have enlisted in Ireland out
Of 100000 men of military age. He gloats over
these figures indicating the still vigorous hatred
that the Irshman bears to England. But those
who like to think well of Ireland prefer to believe
otherwise. Enlistment on a great scale requires |
and England never expected the Irish
20 rush to with the widest enthusiasm. But |
hat does not that they hate Then again, |
o every Englishman the ambitions and hostility |
IF Germany have long meant something very
lefnite and menacing. To the Irishman they have
meant nothing; for if ever he has looked beyond |
Ireland his eyes have always been fixed upon the |
vest. Since the war began the English people |
rave been lavish in praise of the Irishmen who
lave given their lives for the empire, for union
md the healing of the old wounds. When you
lave made a national hero of a man named
O'Leary and your sons are marching to battle,
md perhaps to death, to the tune of song called
ripperary, you cannot be harboring much ill-feel-
ng toward Ireland. And when the great victory
If liberty and justice has been won-in defeasance
If Mr.. Skefington's fondest hopes-Ireland will
lot have to beg for liberty and justice at the hands
If her comrade-in-arms.
What, then, would Mr.. Skefington have? That
he Irish should continue to hate the oppressor!
And what will come of that? Probably the con-
inuance of oppression. if the hate is made suf-
iciently plain. Mr.. Skefhngton wants Germany
o win the war that England can be made
weaker. For what? That Mr.. Skefington may
place himself at the head of a gallant band of
'arefooted gossons and shoot down a few Irish
.onstabulary?
But the question remains: What should be the
motions of neutral who wishes ireland well and /
wants to advocate the right course of conduct?
Shall he join with Mr.. Skefington in manifesto
ions of hatred that, to US as to him, since we
re comfortably ensconced on this side of the At
antc and do not expect to leave, would be an
cademic luxury? Shall denounce, abuse, re-
lie, and, when the occasion permits, conspre?
Or shall view the matter eye to eye, with
ohm Redmond, who sees in the gallantry of Ire
and's soldier the measure of her loyalty
ather than the proof Of her disaffection, the
romise of freedom and prosperity to be rather
han the inheritance of hatred and oppression in
he past? Ii
An. Investment in Boys.