The Irish standard., 1919-08-09
Y.M.C.A. D1stfII1naEs
British Pr9kganda

what England did, without ever men,
ton of our aid or that of the other
powers which were associated with us?
What If she lost more men and ships
and spent more money than we did?
History will say that she could not
have won with treble the loss and sac
rif1ce unless we had gone to the res
cue.
If the people are to be educated on
this war, let not your modesty, sir, re-
strain the announcement in sheet and
flier and pamphlet that we won the
war, stating the indisputable facts to
back it up.
AS to the pamphlet in question,
submit that our sentiments of appre-
citation and sympathy with our cobel-
ligerents are such that we need no
French, no English, no Italian propa-
ganda to stimulate us to just regard
for our European brethren.
The American people want facts!
No statement regarding the war
should proceed, at least officially, from
any American source which does not
pay tribute to our flag and what love
of it inspired our men of brains and
brawn-to do.
No pamphlet should issue under
your approval, sir, which emphasizes
that we deserve less credit than Eng
land; that England stands for democ-
lracy; that our government is modelled
after that of England; that she stands
for fair play in trade; that she "has
outstripped us in social Justice
with never word of pride, affection
or devotion to our flag, our laws, our
institutions and our superb manhood.
How far can we get with the great
movement Of the hour, Americaniza-
tion, if our War Department is to
Suggest" pamphlets such as the afore-
described to be sent broadcast?
The English people themselves
would be the first to cry out, If their
protest would avail, against the
British programme of social welfare" ;"
God preserve us from Englani's treat
ment of labor, of the poor, Of the sick.
To every decent man his mother is
the best in the world, his wife the
dearest, his children the most wonder
full. To every decent citizen the Stars
and Stripes represent the best vet
vouchsafed to man.
! Mr.. Secretary, please withdraw the
pamphlet mentioned, and let us have
Americanfzation for native sons and
foreign-born immigrants. There is
work enough here without entering
into propaganda work for foreign coun-
tries. Respectfully yours,
JOSEPH c. PELLETIER.
Letter to Y. M. C.. A.
Following is the letter Of Mr.. Pelle.
tier addressed to DR.. John r. Mott,
head Of the War Works Council of the
IL. M. G. A.:
Boston, Mass, July IA, 1919.
"Dr. John r. Mott, care Y. M. C. A.,
347 Madison avenue, New York:
"Dear Sir-My attention has been
called to pamphlet of eleven pages
entitled, Some Facts About the Brit
ish,' and published for the educational
bureau, National War Work Council of
Young Mems Christian Association, by
the Association Press, 347 Madison
avenue, New York.
II assume that this pamphlet is pub
lished out of moneys contributed to
the war fund by the people of the
United States. The money was, Of
course, contributed to help the war
and to succor the boys in service. The
people who gave to this fund never
for minute would authorize an ex-
penditure of this fund for propa-
ganda for the British empire or the
issuance Of any publication which
ignores the allimportant part played
by the United States Army and Navy
in the recent war.
"The contributors to this great fund
will not feel pleased, and the mothers
and fathers Of the boys in the blue and
khaki, and the boys themselves who
have done service on land and sea, can
not but feel outraged that American
money is being used in propaganda
to educate the American people to
the belief that England alone won the
war and that the United States is not
even worthy of notice for its wonderful
contributions, acknowledged by ex-
perts and fair:minded statesmen as the
lone element which brought success to
the arms Of the Allies.
This pamphlet would further seem
to be direct attempt to take up arms
lagainst the Irish cause by innuendo
and indirection, thus taking issue with
millions Of men Of Irish blood and