The Irish standard., 1919-06-28

United States in tt
New York, June 24.-Having been
about two weeks in the country and
visited Washington, Baltimore, Ro-
chester, Philadelphia and Boston and
registered under his own name at
hotels, Eamonn De Valera, whose con-
stituents call him president of the
Irish republic, emerged last night
from privacy, took up quarters at the
Waldorf-Astoria, and, as he put it,
assumed his official capacity of Irish
president.
In statement to the press at the
Waldorf-Astoria, where he was greet
ed by wildly enthusiastic followers, he
declared he had come to America "to
speak for the Irish nation
"Renounced" U. s. Citizenship.
Mr.. De Valera, a tall, smoothfaced,
clear eyed young Irishman, was born
in New York in 1882, but said he "re-
nounced" his American citizenship
when he became an Irish soldier. He
declined to tell how he contrived to
reach America.
It was stated that during his stay
in New York he has been living at
the Carmelite priory. His secretary,
H. J. Boland, said while in Boston, De
Valera tried to see Cardinal O'Con-
nell, but failed. Prior to that, he said,
he was in Philadelphia, where he saw
Michael j. Ryan, member of the
Irish peace delegation, and DR.. Pat
rick J. McCartan.
De Valera Visited U. s. Senator.
He declared De Valera had visited
Baltimore, where he saw Cardinal
Gibbons, and Washington, where he
met several United States senator's.
He said he also paid visit to his
mother in Rochester, N. Y.
AS Mr.. De Valera stepped from an
automobile, crowd of several hun
dred persons in the street cheered
him and few frantically waved the
flag Of the Irish republic. He bowed
his thanks.
Il suppose, must apologize" DR..
De Valera told newspapermen, "for
the briefness of the statement I have
prepared. I believe you feel some
what hurt for not being able to find
out how I got into this country, but
the seriousness of my business makes
me keep it from you.
"President" Praises Press.
Il have been travelling incognito,
but now. my private life here is ended
and am now in an official capacity,
and hope that you will assist me in
every way.
II feel the American press will do
their duty for me. I feel the cause of
the Irish people can be brought before
the common people better through
the press than through statesmen and
diplomats. want to speak frankly to
the American people and speak all in
my heart. Often my statements have
been perverted by English propagan-
dists."
The statement which De Valera
read follows:
From today am in America as
the official head of the republic es-
tablfshed by the will of the Irish peo-
pie, in accordance with the principles
of self-determination.
treland's Freedom Declared.
Last December Ireland, by more
than three to one majority of deputies
chosen by ballot on adult suffrage, de-
manded her rights under this princi.
pie. The deputies chosen on the di.
rect issue Of the establishment Of the
republic outnumber their opponents by
more than two to one.
The degree of unanimity obtained
In Ireland on this issue is higher than
that claimed by the American colonies
when they declared their independence
and decided that they would no longer
allow themselves to be exploited by
England In the interest Of her Inn
perialism.'
The statement said the American
population would have decreased AZ
rapidly and as greatly as Ireland's did
according to De valera's figures, unde,
British rule.
Asks Aid Of America.
The very same catcheries and thu
very same tools were used by the EnG
lish government against the leaders o.