The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1918-10-12
HILAIRE BELLOC FRAMES AN INDICT
MENT OF THE IRISH PEOPLE


With the professed object putting the thing
record" Hlare Beoc the wellknown Catholic writer of
England has issued address to the Irish people, Which,
he frankly anticipates, will be challenged and contra
diced by readers The gist OF his thesis is con-
tanned in these two paragraphs:
'Now this Irish nation has, in the majority taken the
wrong side in the Great War. 1t has,, the whole,
victory of Prussia and the defeat of the Allies
very well that this statement will be violently
challenged by that portion of the Irish whose
sympahies with the old civilization of Europe and
enough of the Prussan and his methods to de-
him. None the less is true. The majority of the
stood in this quarrel not only aoof FROM but in
general opposed to the Allied cause
This Indictment be 1t Observed is framed against the
whole Irish nation including not only the four
millions in Ireland but also those scattered throughout
the of the world. He places the total number at
millions though he confesses that this point he
speak "by the book Most assuredly he does not
for back in 1850 the Irish element in the United
States alone 100000, of either Irish born Irish
blood. Nevertheless not Immediately concerned
regarding this point but rather with the principal count of
the indictment.
Mr. Belloc Frenchman who has become naturalized
English citizen Oxford scholar and writer who has
achieved much distinction in Europe and America He
conceded to be of the best authorities on military al
fairs the world his statements will be accepted
in circles his 1t will therefore be
his standardization of the Irish attitude is likely
bring about mschievous results, despite all that
be said in refutation of it's sweeping generalities
be remarked in passing that If Mr. Bellocs desire
is simply put the thing record he has lamentahly
failed in making fair granting for the moment that
only with the truth of the matter his
torian for he does not down the whole truth In
part his articles does he mention the crcum
which have been the potent factors in the
determination of the attitude of of the Irish people
upon the great issues Even if it be conceded that
many of them estranged from sympathy with the
Allies by of the that brought to their
doors 1916 by British tckery it fair to omit mention
of this fact in connection with their stand in relation to
England thereafter? Is it unfair to fail to chronicle
the fact of the suspension of the Home Rule BILL which
had been enacted in 1914 and allowed remain inopera
tive because of the intimidation of few Orangemen in
Ulster? This the primary fact in connection with
the Easter Rebellion and the train of deplorabe happen
ings that followed and impartial historians will be slow
to condemn those Irshmen who withheld their support
from government which had just violated its sacred
pledges and lacked the to into execution
we'll considered and duly enacted statute of the Empire
Surely those who feel called to criticize the stand
taken by of the Irish people should not ignore the
stress and of the occasion and the factors that
impeed their decision. The people of Ireland were al
that time engaged desperate struggle to the
liberties and rights, and is but natural that this
should have the controlling force in deciding the
attitude in reference who withholding them
surely be fairly claimed that it was then incum
bent upon them to set aside their aspirations ant
long struggles in order to protect thu
rights interests Of Others however deserving of support
Nor can it reasonably argued that it became thei
duty to leap defense of their and
lords their dominion threatened at the hands
the Germans nature is not constituted that
can in a few days months suddenly reverse resent
and antagonism that had entered the blood
during centuries OF repression perst
cution and pillage. When is assaled by robbie
he IL not particularly interested in the fate Of that robbie
at the Of third party whether that third party
M policeman or another robber And it cannot he dene
that substantially situation existed in Ireland du
ing the early stage Of the world IT, therefore,
to have straight whole record Of the matter thes
B facts and circumstances should be q part of it.
But let us examine the principal count of the Bello
indictment to wit that the Irish nation has in the mi