New-York tribune., 1919-03-10
Great Roar Bursts Forth as
Justice Appears and As
sails League of Nations
Wilson Snub Is Discussed
President Criticised for the
Opera Incident; Borah
Leads Attack on Britain

Justice Daniel f. Cohalan, of the
supreme Court, making his first pub
lie appearance since the rebuke given
him at the Metropolitan Opera House
by President Wilson, emerged last
night as the popular hero of one of
the biggest Irish gatherings ever held
in this city.
Called by the Gamma Gael of Long
Island ostensibly to commemorate the
140th anniversary Of the birth of Rob
ert Emmett, the meeting developed into
a vigorous protest against the league
of nations, as that organization is now
planned. Again and again during the
meeting which packed the Brooklyn
Academy of Music to capacity and
overfiowed onto the street for three
blocks around what was characterized
as the "British domination" of the
proposed association of powers was
denounced in unvarnished terms.
Borah Leads Attack
Senator William +. Borah, of Idaho,
led the attack against the league of
nations draft. He elaborated many of
his previous structures against the
league and added a few new ones, es-
pecally criticizing the preponderance
Of British and Asiatc influence he
claimed the league constitution effects
Several times he brought the house
to its feet with his reiterated declara-
ton that the need of freedom guaran-
teed to small nationalities is the test
not only of such leagues validity.
L g, = A
powers in the war. His demand that
the entry of the United States into
such an association be submitted to
plebisclte of the American people met
with particularly thunderous re-
sponse.
For my part" declared Senator
Borah, Il am willing to abide by that
decision. | may be wrong in my esti-
mate of the American peoples desire
in this matter. | do not claim to know
without being told how the American
people feel. say, let the people them
selves say how they feel. repeat,
am willing to abide by that decision.
Can those who favor the opposite
course say as much ?"
Roars Greet Cohalan
At the close of the Senator's speech
read to the audience by
Judge jerome j. Rooney, in which the
recognition of an Irish Republic was
urged and the league of nations plan
specifically denounced. were dnani-
mously adopted by acclimation.
Even the successive anti-British out
bursts, though, paled before the roof
splintering demonstrations that every
mention of Cohalan's name evoked.
As he made his appearance on the
stage in the wake OF Justice John W.
Gof, who presided at the meeting. the
house rose TO him with roar that for
TWO full minutes swelled and mounted
and then took another two minutes to
die away.
From all parts of the packed inclos-
ure the green white and yellow emblem
OF the Irish Republic blossomed forth
and waved madly while the man whom
President Wilson refused to see when
ne came at the head of the recent COM
mttee, appointed to plead Ireland's
and bowed his acknowledged
Arraigns Great Britain
In his address when, following the
passage Of the resolutions, Justice
Cohalan rose to speak at 1920 o'clock
ne scrupulously avoided any mention
Of the snub administered him by the
President. Instead, he confined his re-
marks to al arraignment of Great
Britain Other speakers took up the
discussion Of the Metropolitan Incl
dent a length for him.
Justice Gof devoted almost the
whole of mis- opening address to the
subject He made il known that while
the lrish-American committee was at
" ashington trying TO arrange an in
I.J
agreed 10 meet the delegation, with
Cohalan included.
Mr. Tumulty inquired the names of
the committee" he said, "and the
names were recited TO him. and as each
name was announced Mr. Tumulty said
that was satisfactory until the name
Of Judge Cohaian was reached; and
then, Tor the first time, as far as we
know, II was stated that the President
would not receive a committee with
Judge Cohalan as member"
Committee Was Indignant
Indignation, Justice GofF said, fol-
lowed This announcement, but the com
mlttee was prevailed upon not to act
hastily and, after attending TO its busi-
ness with the House of Representa-
tlyes, the matter of the appointment
with Nr. Wilson was again taken up
~itn Mr. Turnulty. Cohalan was pres
ent, Judge Gof announced, throughout
tne succeeding interview, and there
was no mention made as to his recep-
ton
n, At O'clock" continued the speaker,
'ne committee was told that the Presi-
,esht in about two hours would see us.
put could only spare us few minutes
''ine' otherwise that he would meet
TR