The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1919-03-15

Will Make an Effort to Get to Ameri-
ca, and May Have Landed at This
IndomitabIe as Ever in His Plans and
Policies.
BY Ralph F. Cough, United Press
Correspondent.
Edward de Valera, Sim Fein leader
who is now being hunted by the Brit
ish government, has been found and
interviewed by the United Press cor
respondent.
With a signed statement from De
Valera, the interview and much first
hand information about actual condi-
tions in Ireland, the correspondent
has returned to the United States,
thus insuring safe delivery of his in
formation in New York without in
reference of the censors.
Dublin, Feb. 24-"Violence will be
the only alternative remaining to Irish
patroits if the peace conference at
Paris fails to take steps to extend self
determination to Ireland" Edward de
Valera, fugitive president of the revo-
lutionary Sim Fein party made this
prediction to me two hours ago at a
secret midnight interview.
"This means something like contin.
ned revolution until Ireland's rights
are recognized" he said. His black
eyes flashed when he said it, his big
jaw squared. He spoke quietly. New
ertheless he was emphatic.
Police Hunt De Valera.
De Valera, American born, son of
an Irish mother and Spanish father,
is the soul of the Irish revolutionary
movement. British secret police have
been hunting him ever since his TO
mantle escape II days ago from Lin
coin jail on the east coast of England
am told that only five persons in the
United Kingdom knew he was hiding
| within few miles of Dublin.
Not far from where we met, there
were thousands of English soldiers
Dublin swarms with them, as does all
Ireland These troops, tin-hatted
fully equipped and armed, guard every
public building and all bridges, docks
and railroad stations. Their presence
has created a tense feeling. Many
continually fear clashes between sol
diers and civilians.
"De Valera is risking his liberty in
permitting this interview" said the
Sim Feiner who arranged it. "But
the chief is willing to take the chance
| in the hope that he will be able to
get across to the American people a
message from the Irish republican
government"
! Asks Self.Determination.
| De Valera quoted from President
Wilson's II points to prove that Ire
land has the right of self-determina
tion.
No revolutionary action will be un
dertaken in Ireland until the peace
conference shows conclusively that
self-determination will not be grant
ed, he said.
I'VE hope to avoid violence" he
declared. 1T means bloodshed deaths
courtsmartial and perhaps executions
But if we have to fight again to gain
our rights, if that is forced on us, we
shall not hesitate Ireland must have
independence.
"It's big job we've undertaken,
gaining complete independence for
Ireland In the message I'm to write
for you, I'll try to give the American
people the reasons why we feel we
must have it.
Were going to win. / think every
man in Ireland will be willing to back
us in our demands when we make
them. Meanwhile we have our govern.
ernment completely organized. We
can take over the administration of
our country at moments notice.
That's what the Irish republican gov
ernment was organized for"
May Be in U. s.
Sim Fein leaders said today that
by the time this is in print in Amer
lea, De Valera will be on ship bound
for the United States. They plan to