The Irish standard., 1918-11-16

appreciate.
THE DOOR OF EMANCIPATION OPEN TO
| IRELAND-CARPE DIEM.
In editorial in last weeks we called attention
to the rejection Of the motion offered British Par
lament by John Dillon chairman Of the Irish Nationalist
party asking for Irish question on the
basis of President Wilson's principles of sedeermna
ton by nations Of the sovereigntes under which they
fer to live. The Dillon proposal discussed for
whole day, and finally defeated by 1876 to
u.s. receiving thirty outside of the National
list strength.
The result Of this tentative sounding the intentions
the British Government with respect to the future status
of Ireland should be taken the keynote for action
by friends Of the Irish in every land obviously
indicates the of Britain keep vitality i'm
matter out of the of the Peace Con-
ference. It will be strenuously pleaded that it is do
nestle or internal question which should be submitted
adjudication of that world assemblage which about to
consider the claims oppressed nations
the world; and that the axoms Of fair government
by the President of the United not
| be applied in this particular instance
is conceded by British statesmen Of all the lead
ing parties in the Empire that Ireland is distinct and
separate nation. It has history of continuous existence
antedating those of nearly all other European peoples
has ceased to assert its claim right of self
government and has for single during the
than hundred Of English domination &C.
guessed in that alien sovereignty. It almost every
Of that dark epoch Of misgovernmen tyranny
offered the sacrifice Of lives in protest foreign
revolving forms OF repression and coercion have these
manifestations and aspirations spirit of nationality
been temporarily checked-to be again renewed
opportunity presented itself, regardless the dire
consequences
Surely then by this record Ireland has earned the right
be represented at that great tribunal destined
to reconstruct and rehabtate those
legitimate growth and development sded and
by the jealousy and selfshness of their
powerful and influential neighbours Every word,
Of
ident Wilson in his wellreasoned exposition the pn
cples of democracy in government that universally
conceded to apply in the cases of Poland (now happily
blessed with independence the Czecho-Sovaks Jugo-
Slavs and the others applies with equal if greater
cogency to Erin. Why then is Ireland too entitled
to admission into and the consideration of the Peace
Conference?
The argument that the friends of ireland will be COM
PEELED to is that indicated above that Irish
question is of domestic British politics and
international therefore becomes the duty and the
task of all friends of the Irish in the mother land
as we'll elsewhere, to meet and this plea Of
Britain. It should be answered completely and ade
quately to bring conviction to the minds of all fair
minded and win the judgment Of all champions of
democracy among the nations. Poland has already,
medately her organization separate nation, in
dcated her hope that her longuering sister in suffering
shall also receive the emancipation she herself en-
joys French official has compiled at the of the
brochure of Irish history be used by the
French statesmen basis for the fair and impartial
adjudication of claims of Ireland recognition
Peace tribunal In America it hardly necessary to say
that Ireland will have her warmest and most potent friend
be consistent in adhesion to the principles
and declarations upon which entered the world
In the months that are to intervene between now and
the sessions of the Peace Conference the work of the
preparation of Ireands should be taken with
greater vgor and determination than The general
elections in Great Britain to take place. The
opportunity for expression of the national will was
never broad and extensive Women to vote
for the first time, and will constitute highly important
factor the polls The results will to show to the
world whether the people of Ireland in sub
stantia unity regarding the position they to occupy
the world order Those who embody and represent
direct and attesed will of their constituencies in virtue
franchise should be commissioned to formulate the
national policies and present them the Peace
This is the of democracy The voice of the people
entitled to the consideration of those who
have proved their feay democracy by pedging their
lives and fortunes to its success.
is be hoped that the friends of Ireland through
out the world will not neglect the splendid opportunity
that is theirs cooperate with the people of the home
land in the achievement of the unity and solidarity of the
nation. The door of liberty is open-permanenty,
we may hope. But cannot presume the indefinite
time to the gracious portals of emancipation
carpe diem.
Will the British have the hyp0cricy to go
into the conference without releasing the hun
dred Sim Fein leaders whom 1t has cast into
prison. without preferrng definite charges against them
permitting them the right of trial by jury of their
peers accordance with that elastic and dubious
contraption called the British constitution II its rep
ought to be told buny that they grossly
deficient the fundamental principles of democratic
a0ovu