The Irish standard., 1918-04-27
TWIN CITY NEWS

heart, the feeling that of all small ma
lions Ireland was most entitled to the
sympathy of the protector of small
nationalities.'
The plea of the Irish people that the
Home Rule bill as passed by parlia-
ment be put into effect Immediately
upon it's sanction by the king was met
with the statement that possibly after
the war the slight measure of home
government secured by Mr.. Redmond
and his associates would be put into
effect. Much dissatisfaction resulted
from this stand, and Irishmen formu-
lated plan for organized armed rebel
lion to establish not colonial govern
ment under the suzerainty of Great
Britain, but an absolutely free and in
dependent Irish republic, governed by
1rishmen and for Irishmen.
The organized movement of arms
was summarily crushed owing to a
misunderstanding which existed be-
tween the leaders of the Irish Volun.
teers and the Sim Fein organization,
and resulted in the execution of some
OF the great leaders of Sim Fein.
The immediate effect of the rising,
however, was to postpone Indefinitely
the introduction of compulsory mill
tary service in Ireland. Another and
still greater effect was the total lack
OF confidence in anything promised
from the British throne, which was
aggravated by the failure to establish
the Home Government as passed by
parliament, and the treatment given
the prisoners taken in the rising.
The entrance of our own United
States into the conflict presents an
other angle in the great struggle. The
Irish population of America, while in
sympathy with their kin across the sea,
have demonstrated their whole-heart-
ed loyalty for their adopted country
and are now enlisted by the tens of
thousands under the banner of democ-
racy Ito make right the law of the
world" at least, as far as the Teu-
tonic powers are concerned.
The crisis in the Irish situation is
nearly at hand. Britain's premier a
few days ago announced that the con-
scription act would be extended to in
clude Ireland and that Irishmen of
military age would be drafted for SER
vice in the British army on the con.
tinent. Certain it is that passive re-
sistance will be offered to obstruct the
execution of the law, and there are
strong indications that armed force
will be brought to bear to defeat the
aims of the British war lords.
Ireland's supreme moment will soon
be at hand. To accept CONSUMPTION
of her fighting men under the British
flag would be to acknowledge herself
as an integral part of the Empire.
Ireland cannot accede to the designs of
the British Cabinet Her claims Of a
sovereign state must not be abridged,
and to keep their rights intact and to
bring their demands before the peace
conference Irishmen must assert and
re-assert their claims to freedom and
hold themselves aloof from alliances
and concessions which possibly would
be used at later date as an obstruc-
ton to Irish autonomy.
ll10uu4Su dL uOd1C die uCuuOCIdLS.
At home and abroad Irishmen have
given their fortunes, their minds, and
their lives to democracy's cause. Irish
men have struggled and bled under
freedoms banner in all lands where
the autocratic oppressor has extended
his baneful influences. 1t is regretta-
BILE that such a condition should exist
in Ireland, but it is the fond hope that
when the titanic struggle in Europe is
decided, America, "the Cradle Of Lib
erty." will espouse the cause of Celtic
freedom and make the world a safe
place to live in not only with regard
to Belgium, Poland, Litunia, Armenia
and the oppressed countries of Eastern
Europe, but also those under other
foreign oppressors, among which Ire
land, by her dauntless struggle of cen
turtles, has succeeded in placing her
self in the front rank demanding i'm
mediate justice.
TAKES THE prize