The Irish standard., 1919-11-08

1
His unwarranted Charges Against
lreiand's citizens-Asks Navy to
Censure Books.
In an open letter to Secretary of
the Navy Daniels, Director D. j.
O'Donnell has asked the admiral to re.
tract his falsehoods which he is writ
ing and expects to soon circulate
throughout the United States, and a
part of the article appeared in the
Worlds Work in the November is
sue. The letter is as follows:
Nov. LIST, 1919.
The Honorable Josephus Daniels,
Secretary of the Navy,
Washington, d. C.
Dear Sir:
The Irish National Bureau respect
fully calls your attention to an article
by Admiral William Sowden Sims in
the November issue of "The Worlds
Work." which embodies an open in
suit to millions of American citizens.
The article inferentially charges these
loyal Americans with allying them
selves with a cause which was openly
hostile to America in the great war.
Admiral Sims asserts that Sim Fein,
which is synonymous with the Irish
|, Republican movement, was not only
Openly disloyal" but Openly pro-
German" He charges that, as the re-
suit of this pro-Germanism, Sim Fein-
ers attacked American sailors in the
streets of Cork and that these attacks
became so serious that 1t was neces-
sary to bar our American boys from
the city.
The Irish National Bureau, speaking
for millions of citizens of the United
States who are of Irish blood, and
who are solidly behind the Irish Re-
public, wishes to enter an emphatic
protest against an officer of the
United States navy making use of his
name and official position to give
credence and dignity to oft-repeated
statements which are either wholly
false or bald misinterpretation of
facts. Such statements, were they
leveled alone at the Irish people, might
we'll be resented by their friends in
this country; and when they become
part of bitter campaign of invective
directed not alone at Ireland but at
Americans of Irish blood, they become
a serious affront to very consider
able proportion of the people of tbs
United States.
Admiral Sims contribution is one
of the most radical Of an ever-increas-
ing volume Of attack emanating from
the country under whose flag he was
born. AS you must fully realize, Mr.
Secretary, he will be regarded by the
world as an authoritative spokesman
for the United States navy and, as
such, his statements will be accepted
| without question as the truth. 1t is
essential, therefore, that the un.
founded charges against Sim Fein
| which Admiral Sims makes must be
corrected or withdrawn in justice to
millions of Admiral Sims fellow-citi-
zens in America, and for the honor Of
the United States navy, whose officers
have never knowingly lent their names
to any campaign of Misrepresentation.
| That part of the article in which
Admiral Sims asserts that Sim Fein
was pro-German contains no sub
sanitation Of the charge, save that
some American sailors were attacked
| in the street of Cork. Admiral Sims
lays all the trouble at the feet Of Sim
Fein and points an indicting finger d.
rectly at "a delegation claiming to
represent the Irish Republic" headed
by President De Valera, which now is
touring the United States. It is be-
cause of the intense interest evinced
! in the United States in the Irish ques-
ton that Admiral Sims presumes to
make his uncalled-for attack upon the
Irish Republic. For the same reason,
then, the Irish National Bureau feels
called upon to openly resent the ad-
] mira1s act.
But there is another reason and a
far more important one. For years
English writer's have been embarked
in never-ceasing campaign Of mis-
representation not only Of Ireland and
| its. people, but Of those Of Irish blood
IN the United States. The achieve
Iments Of these Americans have beer
unlimited and their motives ques
toned; and American writer's (som'
unsuspectingly, others with set pun
Ipoee) haye repeated thsse misstate
lmsnt6 untn or history anl nteeatur'
lheyo 81 part bscons . tt1sss q u