The Irish standard., 1915-05-15

with alarm. 1t is no wonder that
everything possible has been done to
discredit the Germans and their
friendly interest in the Irish people.
No Irish-American statesman with a
high sense to the interest of the Irish
race, whether at home or abroad,
could have summed up the situation
better than did Mr.. Dillon in recent
speech to his Irish constituency. The
words of Mr.. Dillon are particularly
interesting because of his reference
to DR.. Kuno Meyer, who delivered
such a scholarly address at the Uni
versity of Minnesota, taking for his
subject 1.-THE Golden Age of Irish Civ
ilization." Well indeed may the parlia-
mentarians look to their laurels.
Irish German sentiment has united in
this country. It has united for the
good of both races. 1t has united for
the good of mankind in general. Were
the contemplation not so sorrwful the
humor of the situation might be en-
joyed. Irish and English papers are
in the habit of quoting in full the
addresses delivered by members of
parliament on the Irish question
and to what purpose-that Ireland
may be cajoled into believing that
Englands heart responds ever and
anon to Ireland's cry of distress. But
listen to the words of Mr.. Dillon when
he says:
Zone thing attribute importance to
in connection with Kuno Meyer is
this-it shows what importance the
Germans attach to the Irish in Amer
lea. We know, because we have gone
through America, what the power is
the Irish race exercises in America.
Here is another testimony to the pow
er of the Irish race from a very
strange quarter. The other day Karl
Peters published a pamphlet for the
Irish in America. In this pamphlet
he says that If the Germans win, Ire
land will become Independent, and
will be able to arrange her own af-
fairs in accordance with her wishes
and needs. It goes without saying, he
says, that Germany will assist the
Irish as much as she can but-and
now mark the astuteness of it, this
valuable assistance is not to be used
for nothing. The Irish In turn must
help the Germans, and they can do so
by bringing their great influence to
bear on the United States of America.
The German government and Karl
Peters know what they are talking
about. The German population in
America with our countrymen are a
majority in the United States, and
Peters points out that next presiden.
tial election depends upon the Irish.
men and the Germans. Well, it is per.
fectly true. Peters also says that II
the old war had been going on be.
tween Great Britain and ireland, and
II the breach had not been closed up,
England, in this great crisis of her
history. would be up against hostile
America, because II the Irish and the
Germans had gone together undoubt
eddy America would be hostile. I need
not enlarge on this point. It is quite
unnecessary to enlarge to this audi
ence on the results of a hostile
America. l can tell you that the wal
would be in very different position
The Germans are very intelligent
people. Make no mistake about it
Some people had got into the habit Of
describing them as barbarians and
ignoramuses. They are very intel
ligent people, and SO far as knowledge
Of the world goes, and of the state Of
affairs in America and in foreign
countries, they are a good bit ahead
of England and her statesmen. They
know perfectly we'll the importance
of America to Great Britain in this
war, and they fully calculated on get
ting the Irish with them"