The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1919-02-08
IRELAND, The TEST. OF
LEAGUES SINCERITY
CONTINUED from Page ~


There was no showing of fairness
on England's part.
Half the leaders of the Sim Fein
movement we're put in Jail on suspi-
cion of being engaged in conspiracy
against the Government, but no pub
lie charge has been made against
them in court. Those not arrested
were harried and threatened all
through the campaign. A few days
before the election their headquarters
were raided and all their campaign
literature seized.
The Sim Fein prisoners were
treated brutality.
Some of them died under this treat
ment and went to join the unfortun-
ates of the rebellion of 1916, who
after they surrendered and while still
suffering from their wounds, we're shot
by the English soldiers.
Some Of them had to be propped
up before being shot.
Germany would have to be searched
for an equal exhibition Of savagery.
Others of them who had nothing to
do with the rebellion were murdered
in cold blood like Skeehy Skefangton.
OF course England would not, want
all these facts brought out anew be-
fore the Peace Conference just when
she has apparently given her consent
to League of Nations which shall
provide. for the establishment of Re-
publics or any other form of govern
ment the people of the small nations
of Europe desire in accordance with
the self-determination programme of
the Peace Conference.
Other ugly facts England would
have to face.
Already inspired dispatches are be.
ing sent from Ireland telling of Eng
lands generosity in permitting the
meeting of the Sim Feiners in Dub
lin after they had refused to appear
in the British Parliament to which
they had been elected. Such a meet
ing, although tolerated, is declared
illegal.
But at any rate it is not traitor
GUS gathering.
So much cannot be said of the
meeting of the military governor of
Ireland and his associates If they
were of one mind with him when he
repudiated his oath of allegiance to
the King and English Parliament at
the time of the Carson rebellion.
1t was after the passage of the Irish
Home Rule bill.
Sir Edward Carson, a man of great
ability and courage, had raised and
equipped stormy army in Ulster.
The arms for his men we're imported
from Germany. Carson declared that
IL any attempt were made to enforce
the Irish Home Rule bill, /already a
law, he would fight King and Parlia.
ment and call on the English army
to side with him. French was then
in command Of the troops stationed in
Ireland. He said plainly enough he
and his men would not fight against
the army raised by Carson.
Was he punished?
Oh, no! He was rewarded, as was
the Ulster rebel.
Carson was taken into the English
Cabinet, and French was put in com.
mand Of English troops in France, but
was not successful in battle, and was
withdrawn to take charge of the de.
tense of England against German air
raids. How. he failed in that regard
is matter of history. But, having what
we would call strong political pull,
he has been made military governor
Of ireland.
Not q very inspiring example of
loyalty surely!
It would be awkward If all these
facts should be laid in detail before
the Peace Conference, and so Eng
land will see to it that the Sim Fem
ers are not received by the Peace Con
ference, and that, League of Nations
or no League of Nations, she does not
propose to permit America or any
other country to tell her how she shall
manage what she considers her dom.
este affairs.
The Sim Feiners have dealt q body
blow to the League of Nations.