The sun., 1919-03-17
COHALAN DEMANDS
ENGLAND ARBITRATE
Gavegan and Other Speakers
Urge Peace Conference to
Set Ireland Free.
BIG BROOKLYN MEETING
Resolutions Adopted Opposing
League Of Nations That
Curtails o. 8. Liberty.

England was challenged last night,
St Patrick's eve. to submit her claims
| to rule over Ireland to the Peace Con-
ference at Paris by speakers of Irish
birth or descent at the mass meeting
Of tho United Irish American Societies
Of Brooklyn in the Brooklyn Acadsmy
OF Music. The meeting. ono Of a num-
Der throughout tho country. was for the
purpose of urging that tho Irish ques-
ton be considered with that Of other
small nations.
Much enthusiasm was aroused by the
reading OF a letter Of regret from Gov.
Albert E. Smith in which he expressed
the hope that ireland would gain her
Independence.
ireland. with her years OF struggle
and her years OF suffering L. close TO my
heart" Gov. Smith said. with the
spirit Of freedom abroad throughout the
land It is the ardent hope of all, who, like
myself, from early childhood have been
Interested in the cause of Ireland. that
she will gain the liberty and independ-
ence which her sons and daughters have
for countless years struggled to gain
for her. The patriot Emmett said that
his epitaph should not be written until
his country had taken her place among
the nations Of the earth. May we not
hope the time Is hero when the epitaph
may be written?"
The meeting was presided over by the
Right Rev. Mgr. David ]. Hickey, who,
like the other speakers, declared that the
Peace Conference would be a gigantic
farce unless tho claims of Ireland as
well as those of other peoples were not
considered.
atre when Supreme Court Justice Gave
gan read the statement recently made
by former President TAFT that selt-deter-
mination for Ireland is a domestic ques-
ton which the British Government
should settle
Cites Approval of Congress.
Whether determination for Ire
land Is domestic question or a foreign
question has nothing to do with the case,
as We view H." declared Justice Gavegan
When the lower house of Congress, by
vote of 316 to IL. passed a resolution
urging self-determination for Ireland,
they evidently took the same view. II
the vote Of that representative body
means anything IL means that the people
or the United States are not content TO
see Ireland's case waved out OF court on
mere technicality, for that is all this
plea Of domestic question amounts to.
1reland's case should be determined
on the merits and all fair minded men
Will agree that II can be determined
on the merits only by an impartial
tribunal. We contend that no English
tribunal could be fair and impartial.
On the other hand. although believing
implicitly in the Justice of her cause
Ireland Is willing, as both parties should
atthp faA ~
Conference for judicial determination 4"
Justice Gavegan declared that the
British Government makes a profit OF
s1o. 100000 a year IN Ireland. according
to British report made to the Houses
of Parliament in 1908.
INSTRUMENTATION for all people is
an accepted principle or It Ia a mere
hoax and any peace based on a mere
hoax will destroy confidence In the Gov
ernments that agree to II and will be-
come Il breeder OF world wide Boil
shevisn."
Justice Daniel F. Cohalan, who was
barred from a delegation OF Irishmen
which met him in New York before
he sailed for France by President VIII
son. was greeted by cheers and waving
flags Of green, white and orange, the
colors OF the Irish republic He de-
clared that after $50 years of occupa-
ton. England rules no more OF Irish
soil or Irish people than her armed
force extends over.
Ireland's Population Falls on.
Unless self determination is applied
Unfortunately TO all oppressed people
there can be no lasting peace arranged
at the conference" he declared. Eng
lish government in Ireland in 1918 cost
only 100000 pounds, while she levied
In direct taxes alone 80, 00o. 900 pounds. In
no other country on earth can be found
such a decrease in population as in Ire
land. which has half that Of seventy
years ago.
Sons of ireland have fought for lib
erty In every part OF the globe--in our
own revolution So per cent OF the SOL
diers were Irish born OF sons OF Irish
men-and they are still fighting for the
liberty Of every nation. Please God. II
they don't get liberty for themselves now
they'll keep on fighting until they do"
He pointed out that In spite OF the
army of occupation" in Ireland. 100, 900
British soldiers. the people last Decem-
Der chose, by vote of 10000 TO $780,
900, complete separation from England
and later formally proclaimed at Man
zion House. Dublin. an Irish republic.
Resolutions presented by Patrick A.
Moynahan opposing any plan 'for
League OF Nations which blasts the hope
of oppressed peoples by guaranteeing tho
territorial integrity OF the countries
which are members OF the league. which
interferes with the liberty OF action OF
the United States in the control OF its
own affairs. which abolishes or curtails
the Monroe Doctrine, and which infringes
on the American Constitution" were
adopted.
Mrs. Margaret Moore. for flfty-one
years an agitator for Irish freedom, also
spoke, declaring that the only reason
why the sun never set on British posses
sions was that ''the Lord himself is
afraid to trust the English In the dark"
Cornet solos we're rendered by Herbert
Wiley and Irish songs sung by Patrick
]. Dornan.
The Ancient Order OF Hibernians will
hold their annual ST. Patrick's night eel
ebration tonight at Suffers Harlem
River Park.
FOUR ROBBERIES IN BROOKLYN.