The Washington herald., 1916-04-30
Redmond Speaks for Irishmen.

AoHdiu the eitkcnfnB, sauuchihS udSSoy DC
ing enacted in ireland the vast majority OF
Americans, and especially those OF Irish de-
scent, necessarily must entertain the views ex-
pressed by Mr.. John Redmond, leader of the
Irish Nationalists in the house OF commons, in
his anguished protest issued TO the press while
English guns were doing the cruel work forced
upon them by the deluded followers in Dublin
Of the mad traitor Sir Roger Easement As
sorting that the uprising is mot half as much
treason to the cause of the allies as treason to
the cause of home rule and that il is made
more wicked, more insolent, by the fact that
Germany plotted it, Germany organized 1t, Ger
many paid for it," Mr. Redmond continues:
Leave the question of principle out and con.
slider the question only of the mere interests OF
Ireland herself What did the situation de-
mandy
Neutrality That was impossible. Hostility
to the just cause of the alliesl Is there sane
the drowning OF Ireland's newly won liberties
in Irish blood? Be this view right or wrong,
this is the opinion of overwhelming ma
jority Of the Irish people It was the opinion
with their blood by dying in the cause of the
liberty of Ireland and of the world.
But, anyhow, it was the opinion of Ireland
and surely need not argue the principle esPe,
cially with anybody who has protested himself
home ruler, that the policy of Ireland must
be decided by Ireland herself That is the
prlneipie Which mas oeen ADOPTED Dy the ilsh
Millions Of our people in the United States
and elsewhere, whose generous devotion helped
us so largely to win our victories for the moth
erland of race, have always accepted it.
However bounteous their help, never have they
denied Irelsnd's Tight TO choose her policy for
herself. That doctrine has been contested only
by the very same men who today have tried
to make ireland cats paw of Germany.
1t will scarcely be disputed that Mr. Red
mond voices the practically unanimous sentiment
of Irishmen everywhere. The exceptions in
this country arc few besides the handful Of con-
Spirators in New York, who dare to accuse Pres
ident Wilson of treason because, as they allege
he caused the British authorities to be informed
of the plot in the interest of Germany and
against Great Britain that was being aided and
sbetted in the United States. That this was
done is denied at the White House though such
service to a friendly power would appear to be
the plain duty of this government, If indeed
it was not required to adopt measures on its
own account to prevent the success of any
such project 80
What will cause the greatest sorrow in this
country is the fact that the loyal and the in
nocent in ireland, those whose kinsmen are
among our own loyal and patriotic citizens are
being made to suffer for the wickedness the
madness of those who, in permitting themselves
ruthless warfare against the civilized world, arc
sacrificing Ireland with themselves. With home
rule and the brightest days in Ireland's
history dawning, they chose to cast everything
to the winds and offer themselves and ireland
to the yoke of the Teutons. brutal despoilers o.
France, Belgium and Serbia. What deadly
poison did Sir Roger Easement and his Ger.
man allies spread in the Emerald Isle that
robbed of their reason and their honor?
Horrifying the spectacle is, there is moth.
ing for England to do but to suppress the re,
volt by swift and stern measures With q
cruel foreign foe ever menacing her shores and
her homes she has no time for temporizine
in Ireland. She must crush the rebels that the
heroism and sacrifices of Irishmen on the battle
front in France may not be in vain. When
the end comes it must be the task Of statesmen
Englishmen and Irishmen, to find way that
the loyal and the brave may not suffer for the
deeds of traitors, but may enjoy the benefits oil
liberty and freedom for which they fought and
suffered, Much that has been accomplished must
be done over again, but the noble achievements
of Ireland's sons in the world struggle against
the hosts of savagery will more than counterbal
anee the evils wrought by the dcluded few
allied with civilizations foes and hold her des.
tiny safe.
There would appear too to be duty fol-
lrishmen in America to perform, that they will
be quick to realize. Do they not owe it tc
the country of their adoption to repudiate the
attacks the President of the United State:
by the New York conspirators, and is it not
possible that earnest Endorsement of the posi-
ton and views expressed by Mr.. John Redmond
would exert beneficial influence in Ireland that
would go far toward restoring tranquility and
the rule of reason?