New-York tribune., 1918-05-21
America and Ireland
BIZ Frdmk II. Simaonds

By Frdmk II. Simonds
There is one fact which must be recog-
nized at this time by all friends Of ire
land in and out of that unhappy coun-
try. This is the fact of the war between
the United States ard the German En-
pire. It has changed everything, and its
influence WI! determine American action
and American opinion unit! it closes.
= It wi! be 3 mistake, and tragic mis-
take, for 1rishmen to rely upon Ameri-
can sympathy and support i'll any open
Or covert attack upon our British ally,
which can serve only German purpose
and end only by placing larger part of
the burden Of the battle against the
COMMON enemy Cpoc the shoulders o.
American -cac-powe--
d There IS Just one way that Ireland
can enlist American sympathy for her
aspirations and her ambition And this is
by performing her part Of what all
Americans believe is the common task of
al! civilized mankind # Ireland Will
not Sght the enemy, not merely or pri-
-marily Of England, but the enemy of all
Of US who hold to certain ideas and GER
tain ideals, then the Irish people are out
Of court. They will have no standing,
however great may be their local wrongs,
however unjust in detail their punish
ment.
The United States is to-day thoroughly
at war with Germany. 1t is at war with
Germany as no one could have believed
it would be two years ago. Americans
returning from Europe will find them
selves amazed ct TIE Transformation Of
TIE American spirit and the Ancer;-
can point Of view. The country has
risen to the war as united people. It
has determination and it has unanirn-
sity w!,icl. must confuse The critics of
other days and satisfy the most ardent
CT contemporary patriots. And, this
being true, there is not the smallest hope
that Ireland can enlist American sym
.pathy for any rebellion at this time, par
.t:cu,s-.y as src!, rebe!!:o. ~.ust have
IKE appearance, - not the reality, Of be-
ing to.ce.ted by German agents.
There has beer II past years az eror-
..aous sympathy in this country for Ire
sland outside OF the ranks of the profess
ssional Irish agitators. There was very
genuine feeling of sympathy at the time
of the Irish Rebellion in Easter week,
1876. But since tAat the tie United
States las entered the wa. 1t IS de-
voting its resources, r. lives ss wei! as
treasure, to defeating the German ss-
.sault upon our common civilization, and
To-day It Ireland does not marcll-if, III
stead Of marching, Ireland draws British
sbayoaets fror. Flanders to Cor.aught,
iron. tie defence oe Ypres to tie holding
o. CorA-there vii! be but one co.se-
quence, and there can be but one conse-
Guence. There will be lost for ireland
now and perhaps forever all that SYM
.pathy and all that support which have
been SO rea! in the last half century.
Ths same thing has happened ir
France, where the tradition of sympathy
with ireland is very ancient and has sur
vived all previous changes. Invaded
france cannot understand why the Irish
have chosen this moment to lessen the
effectiveness of Allied military OPERA
.tsons Tor the deliverance of France. Nor
shall we IN America more easily under
stand why our own soldiers, passing
tnrough Ireland on their way to the
'front.' are attacked, or the common task
made more difficult by threat of Irish
rebellion behind our firing line.
Inere should be no illusion as to the
lac1' Many who love Ireland will regret
'ne present attitude of the American peo-
PIE put none of those should misunder-
stand it. AS far as America Is con-
cerned. future sympathy for Ireland
must be predicated on Irish participa-
u0n IN tne great war-and participation
on the Allied side. II the Irish will mt
march with US now, neither now nor for
long hereafter is there any reason to he.
.lieve that the real grievances and tn.
just claims Of the Irish will obtain a
hearing in this country. We do not nm.
derstand and we cannot understand WIN
when the German is loose in the world
ANY man can do other than fight him.
whatever his private wrongs or racial
grievances. When this war is over the
voice Of America will be heard in Europe
.and listened to in England, and with il
may be Joined the voices Of the British
Colonies. But all will be silent so far
dis Ireland is concerned if at Armaged-
don Ireland stands with the German OF
fails to stand against him.
=. 1t is the plain duty and the immediate
*duty Of all who have an interest in Ire