The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1919-04-12
OUR co-GUARANToRs IN THE LEAGUE OF
NATIONS

The veteran, "Tay Pay" O'Connor now the
father of the House of Commons by reason of his
long period of tenure therein has made an eloquent
appeal for adjustment of Irish affairs in connection
with the discussion of the League of Nations If
there is to be an effective League of Nations, he
says, America and England are its necessary guar
antors and there can be no real friendship between
these two nations while the Irish question remains
unsettled to the satisfaction of the people of the
Irish race The future of the civilization of the
world may depend, therefore, this ISSUE Mr.
O'Connor quoted an editorial from the London
Times, the "Thunderer," which declares eve are
all home rulers now" Disclaiming any authority
to speak for Ireland and the Irish people, he con-
tended that the question had become an imperial
and international one which bars the way to the
to the whole world. ~
It is evident that "Tay Pay" has seen great
light since the Sim Fen victory, and that he is
making good progress in his postgraduate course
the bridge since the time when the home-ru1e meas
ure of 1914 would have satisfied Irish demands; and
Britain seeks to stand still while the rest of the
world moves forward in the march of freedom 1t
is dangerous attitude-that of an Ajax defying
the lightning of modern democracy. It is chal-
1enge of the good opinion of all mankind based upon
selhshness and stupidity. 1t affords to America
an Illuminating view of the character of the nation
with which it is sought to have her enter into a
joint guaranty of the League of Nations. Is not
America concerned as to the principles, motives,
past history and present habits of the party with
which it is proposed to unite her in such colossal
obligation? Do we not condone Britain's unjust
and undemocratic present treatment of Ireland by
entering into such quasipartnership with her as is
involved in the proposed league?
America comes to the consideration of such a
contract with clean hands. She is not vitality
cerned with The success failure of the scheme
of international relationship especially in the form
in which it now stands But she is in conscience
bound to keep in good faith her enunciated pledges
and declarations before the whole world in respect
to the submerged and repressed peoples and to
maintain her ideals, traditions and good name. The
himsy camoufage of the argument of domestic
question" does not suffice to justify l-adminis-
tration and unfairness, no matter whether within
or outside of the league. Otherwise the league
would be undesirable and indefensibe, for while it
might serve to ameliorate conditions in quar-
tiers its organization might tend to foster and per-
petuate the evils of misgovernment among the ma
tons in its membership. Under the plea of 'do-
mestic questions they could and would plead inn
munty from its provisions, intended for the general
upft of mankind along the lines of democracy, and
the abolition of forcible subsection Of peoples to
alien domination.
s'Tay Pay hits the nail on the head squarely,
therefore in declaring that Every way which would
lead to League of Nations is barred for the British
Empire by the figure of embittered and enslaved
! Ireland