Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-05
IRISH RACE CONVENTION
IS BEGUN IN NEW YORK
Justice Golf Denounces Those Seek
ing to Involve U. S. in War
With Germany.

NEW YORK, March An opening
the "Irish race convention" here today
Justice John W. Golf of the New York
supreme court said there was a prop
asanda in this country to involve the
United States in war with Germany,
denounced American citizens who for
pleasure or profit wantonly expose
themselves" on ships in the war zone.
and declared that their action should
not be allowed TO involve the whole
nation in war.
The convention, attended by men OF
Irish lineage from many parts of the
country will last two days. and its
spokesmen say will consider problems
relating to Ireland. especially since the
war began and take effective steps for
their solution.
The. convention says it i! opposed to
British influence in this country ana
seeks to destroy it. 1t also wishes to
preserve for Ireland the remnant of her
manhood, and TO keep England from
sending them to dealt or captivity on
foreign soil.
Not Loyal to England.
Justice Golf said the Irish people
were not loyal to Great Britain. "Ex-
cept on irrefragible evidence we re-
fuse to believe that the Irish people
have renowned their allegiance to Ire
land. for the reason that all manifesto
lions of free thought have been drastic
ally suppressed in Ireland, and that the
maintenance of = huge garrison is found
necessary 20 overaWe the people WAen
The army is needed elsewhere.
Therefore we in America have right
to express the truth and in doing so
to express our knowledge OF the talslty
of the statement made IN the BRUSH
house of commons that IS per cent OF
the Irish in America were in favor OF
England in the present conflict.
About 1856 Delegates Attend.
James X. MCGUIRE former mayor of
Syracuse, chairman of the committee on
credentials, reported there were 1855
delegates in attendance at the conven-
ton. He said they came from through
out the country. from Nome, Alaska.
to Tampa. Fla.
Judge o'Neil Ryan of St. Louis, who
was elected permanent chairman OF the
convention, asserted that sectional d1f-
ferences and denominations and pollti-
cal strife had been forgotten oy me
delegates, and added that after the
world war the United States should de-
mand Of Great Britain. whether the lat
ter is victor or VanQulShed, that ire
land be made absolutely independent
among the nations of the world"
The Irish people,, he declared. DO
not stand behind the British govern
ment in this war. but for ireland and
ireland alone
Friends of Irish Freedom.
4 new national organization. to be
known as 1.-The Friends of Irish Free
DOM" was formed here tonight at
conference called to outline the atti
tude the delegates believe the Irish of
the United States should assume to-
ward Great Britain.
The organization will be governed by
a national committee of sixty members,
with an executive committee of twelve.
National conventions will be held twice
A year or oftener. 1t as announced. Any
person of Irish extraction who sym
pathizes with the country in her aspi-
rations for independence" is eligible to
membership. --
The objects of the organization. as
ANNOUNCED by Capt. John T. Ryan.
chairnlH of the committee, which
worke$ put the details, will be ito en-
coura2. and assist any movement for
the natlenal freedom of Ireland, and to
aid in thu industrial development of the
country A. well in the revival of the
language. literature, music and GUS
toms of the Gaels."