The Irish standard., 1916-09-02


will of the people of Ireland. and they
were only prevented by the growing
volume of public opinion and by the
strength Of the agitation that was got
up in opposition to the scheme.
1.-The leaders are now engaged in
pretence of criticising and attacking
the Governments rather belated pol
icy if genuine-but in pursuing their
new policy they are taking good care
not to make any damaging attack on
any vital matter The object of this
sham opposition and criticism Is. as
the Daily Mail august - with
brutal candor admits. to regain full
er control of all sections of Nationalist
opinion in Ireland III order that the
Nationalist leader will be all the bet
ter placed to act as its spokesman
when the time comes to attempt an.
other agreement.
Betrayed Their Trust.
The Irish leaders having betrayed
their trust the people of Ireland can
have been either unable or unwilling
"They have acted in direct opposi-
ton to the National sentiment. They
have been either unable or unwilling
to make any effective opposition to
the Government in matters adversely
affecting Ireland. They have brought
contempt and humiliation on the Ma
tional movement. They have pre-.
ferred Imperialism to Nationality and
British interests to Irish rights. They
have sacrificed the cause of Ireland
for the sake of British eXpediency The
recent history of the party is a record
of lost opportunities and mismanage-
ment. Numerous supporters of the
Constitutional movement have, there
fore, lost faith in it and have resorted
to revolutionary methods and force
of arms.
THE action of the leaders has gone
far to destroy the claim of Ireland to
be distinct nationality. and has tend
ed to q recognition Of two nationali-
ties in Ireland-One consisting of the
COvenanters of the northeast and the
other consisting of the rest of Ireland
This would be absolutely destructive
of the traditional ideal of ireland
nation. y
ut would divide the people into two
hostile camps, thereby perpetuating,
in fact and in reality, the old English
policy, Divide and Weaken Divide
and keep in subjection.' 1t therefore
behooves all Nationalists to be on the
alert and thoroughly prepared for any
emergency.
Free Of Party Control.
lin order to revive and rc-establish
the National movement on sound and
vigorous lines and to safeguard the
National interests it has been decided
to extend the scope and objects Of the
Anti-Partition League so that the or
ganization will embrace full Nation
al program. 1t will be called in future
The Irish Nation League.
The organization will be thorough
ly democratic and free from the con.
troll of the Irish Parliamentary Party
1T will express the views and opin-
ions OF the people upon all issues that
may arise, and will take measures to
have them carried out. 1t will uphold
the principle that the Irish Party
int ois ikc ;,,lo
not attach itself to any English party,
but should have regard only to the
rights and interests of Ireland. The
following are the objects of the Irish
Nation League:
Il. To maintain the unity of Ire
land; to secure complete national
self-government and prevent any divi.
sion or partition of the nation.
2. To preserve and cherish the
National ideals and the distinctive
features of Irish life: it's history,
traditions and language; to cultivate
patriotism and good citizenship.
%. To obtain justice for Ireland in
the matter of Imperial taxation.
-. To develop the natural re-
sources of the country; to revive it's
industries and improve it's agricul-
ture.
IS. To promote friendship and CO.
heston between the Irish people and
their exiled fellow.countrymen for the
furtherance rof the objects of this
league.
Ono ireland Only.
ireland nation, one and indivis-
ible, is our first principle and from
the ideal Of self-government for ALL
IRELAND we will never recede. Firm
in the belief that all parties and per-
sons will benefit by it's attainment we
shall advocate that all reasonable
safeguards be provided for that sec.
ton of our fellow-countrymen who
have hitherto opposed it.
"As self.government in some form
is admitted to be inevitable we appeal
to the people of all denominations and
all shades Of politics to join with US