New Britain herald., 1919-02-22
5000 IRISH MEET TO
 BOOST HOME RULE
Friends of Irish Freedom Open Big Convention in Philadelphia Today
WORK FOR CAUSE IS MOTTO
Rev. Peter Maginnis and Justice Dan icl F. Cohalan Both Urge Co-opera- tive Action to Free Erin'S Isle of British Yoke

BF1uSh Yoke
 Philadelphia Feb. 22.-rhe right of the Irish to liberty was emphaslzed by the Very Rev. Peter E. Magllnls ol New ' York, president of the Friends of Irish Freedom n an address at the opening today Of the convention of the Irish race.
 The purpose of the convention is to demand for Ireland the right of self determination, such as has been given to Poland, Czecho- -Sovakia and other morrow Five thousand delegates are meeting in the largest National Guard armory in the city.
 Dr.. Maginnis Makes Speech. Dr. Maglnnis, who is assistant gen. eral of the Carmellte order, said
 The work before the convention of the Irish race is of supreme import unce. Every day, every hour, nay, every moment, must be offered up on the altar of that country's freedom. Outs1ue Irelahd Itself, the solution of the problem that is so near to our 1 heart lies in America.
 For almost two years America l ceased her gigantic strides to pros l perlty and directed her steps to the bloody fields of Flanders. During all 1 that time the voice of the great pres 1 ident Of this republic was ringing 1 through the world announcing the 1 glad doctrine of the freedom of all small nationalities. the soul stirring l principles of world wide demo- l cracy.
 l Why Did America Fight. l Hence the all-important work of this convention is to ascertain-did
 
 ous career and direct her steps to 1 blood stained fields of Europe to the end that nations should be free and that the world shall be safe for democracy? Did the voice of our great president ring true, or did it ring with doubtful tone when he told the listening world the principles that l have made America the great and | prosperous land she undoubtedly is? | We have wept enough for 1re- | land; we have gloried sufficiently in | Ireland, now our duty is to work for Ireland, and to work in such a, way ! that the world shall understand that our work is the work of men who ! could die for Ireland'
 Justice Cohalan Talks
 Justice Daniel F. Cohalan of the New York supreme court said that | unlSSS lue uOClIlnS Ol sell -uStSTInl1a- ton be applied to Ireland there can be no just and permanent peace com ing out of the work of the peace con- | ference
 When our great president laid down the IA points upon which peace was to be made, just, durab ble and permanent peace," said Justice Coha- Ian, ''he placed no restrictions upon the application of those doctrines. He said that self-determination was to be given to all peoples without cond- tion or qualification. If now that doc Urine is to be applied only to those peoples who were oppressed by the countries that were in arms against America, then our struggles will have been largely in vain, and no just or permanent peace can come as the consequence of this partial applca- ton of the presidents doctrine of self
 "If the war just ending was fought only for the purpose of breaking down one form of militarsm, the war will not have brought about the end for which the people fought and bled and sacrificed: and war and a con- tinuance of war, instead of peace and permanent peace, will ne the necessary outcome of the settlement which fails to apply the doctrine of self -determ- nation to all those who seek to be free"
 Many Delegates Present.
 Delegates representing the Friends of Irish Freedom, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Clan Gael and other organizations that desire to see Ire land free from British inf1uece are attending the convention, which will end tomorrow. Cardinal Gibbons. T.. S. Senator Borah of Idaho, Senator elect Walsh of Massa chusetts, Gov ernor Sproul of Pennsylvania, and church dgnitaries from many sections of the country are on the program for 1 nd