The Irish standard., 1919-12-06
Irish Question More
Alive Than Ever

indignant protest by Unionist leaders.
Sir Edward Carson in particular,
against the United States daring to
interfere. These last do the most
harm of all. Mind your own busi-
ness!" is the worst kind of answer
to the campaign proceeding here. 1t
arouses anger and contempt.
If Sir Edward Carson were to come
to New York and Boston and state
his case on public platforms he might
do some real good. Otherwise, let me
beg him, for the sake of Anglo-Ameri-
can future relations, to keep silent.
At least, let him refrain from haunting
the United States with her interest
in Ireland. 1t would be an extraor-
binary thing If a nation which has
drawn many of her greatest states
men and orators and public workers
from Ireland should not express and
feel interest in Ireland's well-being.
Opposition to the League.
The Irish influence is today the
most dangerous factor President
Wilson has to face. 1t is the driving
force behind much of the opposition
to the League of Nations.
The opinion of the average Ameri-
can, as have gathered it by CONVEX
sation with men of all classes, may
be summed up as follows:
1--WE do not know, and we do not
pretend to know, all the details Of
the Irish problem. But it seems to
us untrue to democracy to compel a
nation to live permanently under a
system of government that can only
be maintained by force of arms.
Government by the People.
1T is not question whether the
British administration in Ireland is
good or bad. If it is the best in the
world, but the Irish peorle consistently
and for a long period refuse to &C.
cept it, it is bad. The only real gov
ernment that can endure is govern
ment accepted by the people them
selves.
Leave the Irish to manage their
own internal business. They will, no
doubt make lots of mistakes. Then
it will be up to them to pay the price.
The worst government carried out by
a people themselves is better than
the best government imposed on them
from outside. Under the one they can
learn what to do. Under the other
every incentive to improvement is re-
moved. Let the Irish make their own
beds and lie on them!"
The "UaIier Factors"
Every day strengthens the feeling
against the present British policy
Every day, too, sees the development
of uglier factors. No one who does
not go about with his eyes shut car
fail to be aware that part Of the con
siderable sum of money being gath
cred here go for fighting purposes
Arms are being sold in unusually large
Quantities in certain parts, and are ap
lparently disappearing. Where are they
going?
The big arms companies would mo-
lend themselves knowingly to al
illegal traffic, and they keep a careful
check, so far as they can. But there
are hundred ways that weapons cal
be obtained in spite of them, and ii
spite Of the work of the Secret Ser
vice. The weapons that are being
purchased are intended to kill Eng
lish soldiers-and not in open war
i The Old Fenian Movement.
The old Fenian movement which
brought about the attempt Of an in
vasion of Canada nearly forty year.
age was scotched but not killed
There are still many men here o
Irish descent willing to adopt an!
measure against the hated Saxon. Fo
q long time they could do nothing
Now they have lifted up their head'
again.
Propaganda, newspaper defencea
personal pleas will do little. The onl!
thing that can change public opinion
!; here is the prompt and effective tack
; ling Of this issue by the British gov
ernment. Above all-Prompt! Fo
every day is inhicting further harm
; not alone on Ireland, but also o1