The Washington herald., 1917-09-09

merely contemptuous. He utterly re-
fLsed to take it seriously. 'It is not
an Irish. but an English convention"
he insisted. How can II represent
anything when everybody knows we
have the mass of the people in nearly
every constituency in Ireland?"
"Why did you refuse to take part?"
asked. I'VE did not refuse" he
said. I'VE offered to come in IL the
English would allow the Irish people
to elect the delegates, would pledge
themselves to abide by the decision
of the convention. and would permit
the convention to decide, If it wished,
for independence"
Our discussion lasted an hour. I
came away from the little cottage
feeling that here is a man who will
go far, II he lives. 1t is a big IF.
The compliment Mr.. Griffith appre-
ciated 1 could apply with greater
force to de Valera, whoses magnetism.
brilliance and intense sincerity seems
to be combined with a complete lack
Of prudence and political calculation.
qualities which he probably despised.
mo man since Parnell," a leading
Unionist said to me, has been so
luOllLCu III 4iClaildb IlC - OiAAy JNSS
beginning his career; he has spoken
in only a few constituencies. On the
night of his election in East Clare.
Dublin was the scene of the greatest
political demonstration of modern
times. The city went mad with JOY.
Those of us who have retained our
reason remained at home and prayed
that heaven would put common sense
int tho hearts of the fNpnnl6
Sim Fein, in its election campaign
/ ing, does not preach only hate OF
England and political idealism. 1t
claims credit for saving Ireland from
conscription. and the argument
makes a great appeal to the farm
ers, upon whose support Sim Fein
mainly relies.
Among the Sim Fein population
the United States. until now ex-
termely popular in ireland, is regard
ed with mingled pity and anger.
England has dragged you in to pull
out her chestnuts," was a remark
| addressed to me more than once. An
| incident that took place last week
in the Hippodrome, the largest thea
ter in Dublin, now used as NOV
ing picture house, illustrates the Sim
| + EN- dllIluuS-
The commander of an American
destroyer, in Dublin on leave with
one of his officers, told me that he
was in the Hippodrome when films
| of the West Point cadets drilling
were shown. A considerable part of
the audience hissed. A moment later
| renewed kissing greeted God Save
the King" played by the theater
orchestra, but this was nothing to
! the storm of disapproval that follow
ed when the band switched to the
star Spangled Banner" and the
| two officers, as American regulations
demand, stood at attention. Il didn't
| know what to do" said the COM
mander ruefully. 1T was the first
| time ever heard that tune Kissed.
| We walked out"
| It would be a mistake TO eXag-
/ gerate the significance of such an in
cident. which indicated not serious
hostility towards America, but an
annoyance at the war. and at any
| uniform, that is characteristic In
Dublin today. The political tempera-
ture of the country is very high. per-
haps higher than ever before. There
are not wanting prophets who think
| that If the convention reaches an
agreed solution the support Of Sim
Fein will fall away, leaving Griffith
and de Valera and their extremist
followers isolated.