The Irish standard., 1918-02-16
De Valera Will Not
Depend on Pledges
Neither German, English, French o,
American Promises to Be
Considered.

CONSIDERED.
Sim Fein Leader at Castelar, Rally
Agrees to Be Bound by An
Irish Plebiscite.
CHALLENGES ALLIES SINCERITY
Mr.. De Valera, the Sim Fein leader,
addressed large and enthusiastic
gathering in the Square, Castelar,,
Sunday, January 20, presided over by
DR.. A. MacBride, brother of Major
MacBride, executed after Easter Week,
1916. There was a large muster of
Volunteers, including horsemen from
Westport, Balla, and other centers, &C.
companied by many bands. The town
was bef1agged for the occasion. Police
from many outlying stations rein
forced the local Constabulary, but
there was no disorder.
The speeches were delivered in a
downpour of rain. There were no
clergy on the platform. Resolutions
were passed renewing allegiance to
the Sim Fem Policy and the establish
ment of an Irish Republic, demanding
the right of Ireland to representation
at the Peace Conference, and appeal
ing to the people to hold on to food
supplies so as to avert famine.
Letters of apology were read from
Rev. M. O'Flanagan, c. c., Crossna;
Rev. 7. J. Reidy, P. p, Balla; Rev. D.
Corcoran, Ballina; Rev. M. O'Donnell,
G. c.. Kilmaine; Father Durkin, C. c..
Swinford; Father Connolly, G. c., do;
Rev. D. Nolan, o. S. F., Ballyhaunis,
and Very Rev. Canon Dalton, P. p,
Ballinrobe (who said taxation and
treachery was all they ever got from
the London Parliament).
ireland the Test.
Mr. De Valera said that it was
claimed by Mr.. Hayden that it was
due to the U. l. L. that Ireland's case
was today before the world Qaughter).
He left them and the people of Armagh
to judge why it was Irelands case be-
fore the world. Ireland was the acid
test that would prove to the world
the sincerity or hypocrisy of the Allies
and President Wilson, when they de-
clared they were fighting for the self
determination of nations and freedom
of the seas. England and Wilson and
all the Allies could prove their sim
cerlty by giving to the Irish people
the right of self-determination
I'VE do not burk or bubble at
plebiscite,' said Mr. De Valera. I'm
ready to bind myself beforehand to a
plebiscite of the Irish people on the
question of Irish independence or sub
jugation. There is challenge to the
sincerity of the Allies" The British
Labor party had issued call to the
German people to stand out for those
If he spoke as a German
he would say that was an incidious
attempt to disrupt the solidarity of
the nation that had defied the world
so far. The principle of self-determin-
alton might not be acted upon, but
principle that would be acted upon
because it was as important to Amer
lea as to Germany, France. and the
whole world, was that Ireland should
be neither British nor German.
EngIand's Argument.
All England had to do to have peace
with Ireland was to clear out of it.
One of the reasons England gave for
holding Ireland was that it was neces-
sary to the security Of Britain That
argument could be advanced by Ger
many for holding Belgium and Alsace-
| ,Orrainn Thnir
at bottom antiEnglishism and was
that because it was pro-Trishism. That
was the psychology OF their friendship
for Germany and hatred of England.
That did not affect America. AS far /
as they were concerned, America was
strong in the Allied COun-
ellis to force England to settle the |
Irish question.
They would only take complete |
of the complete account. A
League Of Nations was no longer an ,
ideal; it could only be formed, he be- !,
ieved, by proper cooperation between |
Germany and America, and Ireland |
would be willing to enter it as an in |
unit and bear her share
Of the burden. They must make it |
clear to the world that it should look |
20 Sim Feiners, and not to Mr.. Red
mond, for the expression of the Irish !
peoples will, and that their. demand |
,or sovereign independence was the
demand of the Irish people.
No More Pledges Wanted
They wanted no more pledges or
Acts on the Statute Book for the bet
er government which, from England's |
point of view, meant the better ex-
plotting of the Irish people, Lloyd |
George gave them another pledge a