The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1918-04-13
De VALERA VISITS
BELFAST, IRELAND
ST. Patrick's Eve Meeting Winds Up
In a Police Clash.
SUNDAY MEETING PROCLAIMED,
Big Sim Fein Demonstration a,
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES the Way
To Irish Unity

There were exciting scenes in Bel
fast on st. Patrick's eve, when Mr..
De Valera paid a flying visit to Bel
fast. Sunday he spoke at Downpat-
rick
The Sim Fein demonstration fixed
for Sunday had been proclaimed, but
during Saturday a meeting in Himill
Street (Falls Road district) was ar
ranged. A large force of police guard
ed the G. N. r. Terminus, but the
Sim Fein leader. who left Waterford
that morning, entered Belfast by mo-
tor, and was met about II o'clock in
the Falls Road district by large
crowd with torches. A meeting was
then held, Sean McEntee presiding,
and speeches We're delivered by Rev.
Father Fullerton, Wr McNab and d.
Mccullough. Squads of police took
up positions all round Women and
children left the gathering, and line
Of Volunteers was formed. Mr.. De
Valera then spoke
He said it was fitting that their st.
Patrick's Day message to their coun-
trymen the world over. that they were
as. strong in national determination
for freedom as ever, should so forth
under the ban of an English procla-
nation, and that they should have to
meet at that hour in order not to risk
the lives of unarmed citizen against
the rifles of the defender of small ma.
tions. The spirit that outlived cen
turtles Of oppression would not be
stamped out by the Cromwells of to-
day.
Batons v. Camans.
Midnight clocks rang out. "Time
up" shouted an inspector, and the
police charged with batons. After
fight with the caman-armed Volun-
teers, they broke into the crowd,
which had no means of egress. Stone
throwing followed, and the ground
round the platform was strewn with
men and women. A revolver shot
was fired, but nobody was shot.
D. LIS Redmond, Dunlop, Atteridge
and Harrison led the police, and the
former two sustained injuries to the
face. A patrol wagon conveyed three
wounded police to the Victoria Hos
pital, and five civilians received hos
pital treatment. The volunteers i'm
provsed field hospital for them
selves. Mr.. De Valera stayed on the
scene to the end, and received an ovu-
ton when driving from Mass next
morning.
A number of people gathered on
Sunday at the scene of the proclaimed
meeting, where a force of police was
OH duty. Nothing happened.
Downpatrick Demonstration.
Volunteers, with bands and flags
met Mr.. De Valera at Downpatrick
Sunday and a procession marched to
Killough Road, passing a U. I. l.. pro-
cession on the way, the two bodies
conducting themselves with perfect
order. The police were augmented
by drafts, but the day was peaceful.
lily. McGrath, Co. c., Portaferry,
presided at the Sim Fein meeting,
and on the platform were Rev. Chas.
OIoan, p. p, Lowermourne; Rev. Jos.
Byrne, Downpatrick; Rev. M. Fullen,
do: Rev. IT. Bradley, Killough; Rev.
ID. Cahill, Clanvaraghon. Rev. Fl
Boyle, p. p. V. r., Downpatrick,
wrote: 81 should like to be with you,
but there is such marked division
among my people, Letters of apology
were read from Rev. p. Greennan,
GargOry; Rev. r. Fullerton, and Rev.
]. Murphy, Dunforde. A resolution
claiming Ireland's sovereign indepen-
dence was passed on the motion of J.
II. King. solr., seconded by ]. Woods,
ID. G.. i.
Mr.. De Valera said they were there
to proclaim to the world their distinct
nationality, and the men in Saul (the
U. !. l.. meeting) were still true to
Ireland, even if their leaders had
gone over to the enemy. The Irish
people would yet compel Mr.. Dillon
to use again the words he spoke in
'92, when he said 81 am proud that
England cannot drag Ireland as will
ing captive behind her triumphal car.
[ We are still an unconquered race"
The Way to Unity.
Mr.. De Valera, referring to FIR.
Boyle's letter regarding disunity in
his parish, said that the only way for
Irish Nationalists to unite was to vie
with one another as to who should
strike the enemy the strongest blow.
Irishmen would not misunderstood FIR.
Boyle, but such words were dangerous
when used by English propaganda
| abroad to represent Ireland as divided.
England was trying to sow dissension,
but the Irish people did not differ
among themselves any more than 9TH
er peoples. Their Volunteer move
ment was an extra movement added
to the methods of Parnell. There
could be no compromise as to sover.
eign independence.
DR.. McNab also spoke, after which
the meeting ended, and the crowds
of the rival meetings mingled in the
streets, the utmost good order pre-.