The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-21


 ing 1t to Ireland, and if you attempt anything else you will make a trav- esty of the World War" This was the declaration of Philip Troup, of New Haven, at the mass meeting held yesterday afternoon at Polls Theatre to open the weeks campaign for the Irish Educational fund.
 The meeting was attended by 4.000 enthusiastic Bridgeporters. Mr.Troup was greeted, when his speech ended, with applause from the standing aud- fence, the like of which has been sell dom seen in Bridgeport. It was one of the greatest Ovations ever given in this city. The speakers of the after noon included besides MT. Troup, w. P. Kirk, of this city; John F. Cooney, of Providence; John D. Moore, of Brooklyn, and Lynn W. Wilson
 MT. Kirk, opening the meeting, said:
 We are met here this afternoon as Americans to pledge our financial and moral assistance to that country across the sea to which so many of us owe our birth. We sympathize as Americans with the aspirations of those Irish patriots who have kept alive this fight against the govern ment of England. They are demand ing freedom for Ireland and surely as a justice loving American, whether he is an IriShman or not goes out In sympathy to that cause.
 This is not a political or Q reHg- ious question and I fear those enc mics of Ireland in their zeal to bring religious and political questions into this discussion may do more harm than good. I think it necessary to caution the people and public speak, CTS not to attack those officials in high office with whom they disagree; not to reflect on our cause by hissing our ad- miniStration. We in Bridgeport are trying to conduct this campaign in a dignified and high-toned manner. We do not want to be led into any traps that may be laid for us.
 'I want you from the bottom of my heart not to make any hostile demonstration at any speaker or his remarks. We wish to show the coun- try that Bridgeport can run cam paign of this character without ran cor toward those who disagree with us and that we are h~re simply in the interests of Irish freedom.
 This money is to present Ire lands cause to the American people. Now who are the people we expect to reach? Not the Irish for they are with us. Who do we want to edu- cate? Who do we want to put this case before? We want to place it i before those who are not of Irish birth and sympathies. It is to those that we want to present facts and fig ures supporting Irish claims
 John s. Moore, of Brooklyn, spoke as follows:
 When the chairman of the meeting used the word freedom he meant it to conv0y all the meaning that the word implies, compete and absolute separation from England and the rec ognitfon of the Irish Republic. Not home rule.s but dominion government None of the English traps and devices that are being made for the American people today. But, the same kind of freedom We enjoy here in Bridgeport. Why is it that the Irish are always under the necessity of being apolo- geuc whenever they discuss their na- tional aspirations? Why is it that they always assume this attitude when they talk the matter over?
 I'll tell you why. It Is because during the last 25 years the Irish of Ireland and the Irish race of the world have been constantly deceived and mislead by the propaganda of the British government. Arthur Griffiths well described it when he said that England has built a wall
 
 has written what she wants Ireland to believe about the rest of the world and on the outside what she wants the rest of the world to believe about Ireland.
 Her falsehoods have been re- peated so consistently that even their victims have begun to believe them We are told that the Irish are quar- relsome in Ireland, but the Irish- men are not quarrelsome anywhere | else! They tell us about their fac l tions, the Unionist. Parliamentary | faction and the very numerous Sim Fein faction, but we. too, have fac | tions in America. But, here we call 1 them parties.
 ''We have the Democratic party, the Republican party. the Progress | i've party, the Prohibition party and | the Socialist party, all factions. But | we call them parties here.'
 1 Moore then mentioned specific tn- | stances which showed that there wa. no moro unanimdty in America, and among Americans over political mat | ters than there was in Ireland. He l referred to the doubt that existed for | several days as to whether Wilson or | Hughes was named president; wheth. l CT Smith or Whitman was elected l i fact that December IA at the Irish | elections 75 per cent. of the people | of Ireland voted one way and the re- | suit of the vote was made known al. | most at once. In that election tne Irish people declared overwhelmingly l for an Irish Republic.
 l He said: Another reason given why | Ireland should not have self-deter- | minaAon is that the Irish are inca | pablo of managing their own coun- | try! That they are mere politicians | trickstersi Well, I will concede their | aptitude for politics, but let me say l that there are instances where Irish | men have shown great ability as man. \ agers and executives.
 l When President Wilson wanted ou1 | aircraft production started after | s640, 100000 had been spent without a single machine to show for it. | whom did he select? John D. Ryan | of Pjttte. Mo. And when the Pres | ident was told by our allies that | America must produce ships, whom | did he select to build those ships