The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1918-07-27
Irish In America
Loyal to the
Government
Meeting of U. |. League Council So
Proclaims-Dr. John G. CoyIe
Voices Sentiments of the
Irish Citizens.


Irish League, held in Emmett Arcade
on July 2, during loyalty" week, at
which, by ringing resolutions the
League evidenced anew it's support
of the United States of America in
this great war, there were many clear
cut expressions of the sentiment of
the Irish in America. Hearty applause
greeted the emphatic statement of
Richard Hazleton, M. P, when he said
ireland was not, Ireland is not, Ire
land NEVER will be pro-German."
And when the distinguished Irish rep
resentative said with accute empha-
sis, ireland has had, Ireland has, and,
perhaps, Ireland will have her quarrel
with England, but Ireland intends to
settle her quarrel WITH ENGLAND,
and she will not let Germany's dirty
fingers come into it," the audience
cheered and roared that manly and ma
tional sentiment.
DR.. John G. Coyle clearly stated the
position of the Irish naturalized cit
liens and the native Americans of
Irish descent, while making it equally
clear that the Irish in Ireland were
in an altogether different position,
not bound by the same obligations or
limitations.
Dr.. Coyle said in part:
"The United Irish League of Amer
lea has always been a supporter of
the movement to secure Home Rule
for Ireland by constitutional agita-
ton, and for that purpose has again
and again subscribed money to help
the Irish Home Rule Party win seats
in Parliament at elections in Ireland
and in England. BY statements again
and again to the American people con-
corning the aims, the progress and the
justice of wisdom of the courses pur-
sued by the Home Rule leaders, the
United Irish League has endeavored
to make helpful and material contribu-
ton to the enlightenment of Ameri-
can public opinion concerning the
Home Rule movement and to win pop
ular support to the cause. Hardly a
year ago nearly two hundred Ameri-
can congressman, influenced by the
consideration of justice to and SYM
pathy for Ireland petitioned Great
Britain to give immediate Home Rule
to Ireland. Such an appeal clearly
shows how we'll informed were Amer
lean public men upon the necessity
for and justice of the Irish demand
for Home Rule.
"The United Irish League Joined
with the Irish Nationalist in Ireland
to protect by force Of arms, if need
be, the Home Rule measure then al
most ready for passage. Although
the overwhelming majority of the
Irish people were in favor of the
Home Rule Bill proposed by the Irish
Party, it appeared in 1918 that the
Unionists of Ulster, headed by Sir
Edward Carson, A. Bonar Law, Sir
Frederick e.. Smith, James Campbell
and others were determined to bring
about civil war in Ireland in the ef-
fort to oppose to armed revolt the en-
forcement of the Home Rule Bill then
certain of passage. For such pur.
pose Carson and his friends imported
arms from Germany and the Irish
Churchman' announced boldly that
the Unionists of Ulster had been prom
Used the aid of powerful European
monarch who would not see these
Unionists, minority Of the Irish at
any time, actually ruled by a major,
ity, as is the custom in America and
other democratic countries. The
monarch was the German Kaiser.
The arms came from Germany. This
League, with other sympathizers with
Home Rule, subscribed funds to en-.
able the Home Rulers of Ireland to
purchase arms to defend themselves
from the threatened attack by the
Unionists of Ulster. The arms for the
Home Rulers were imported from
Belgium, not from Germany. No aid
of any foreign monarch was sought.
'tThis act by this League was jus.
tifable, if aid to people seeking the
security Of their homes and persons
under the laws of their own country
is ever justifable, and the laws OF
God and nations unite in declaring it
always justifable.
"But from the day the United
States of America entered the war;
this United Irish League has again
and again been 100 per cent Ameri
can in arms and declarations. Prior
to April 6, 1917, it was permissible
for sympathizers with Home Rule in
Ireland to take any steps which
would help to bring about Home Rule
for this country was neutral as re-
yards Groaf britain and GERMANY and