The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1919-04-19
THAT IRISH DEFENSE FUND.

For the time being the Victory Loan has first
call upon the attention of every American citizen.
But that job will not be difficult one on account
of the many attractive features Of the issue. In
tact, we confidently predict tremendous oversub-
scription to the issue, and that many will be dis
appointed in their efforts get aboard"
Friends of Ireland should then turn their activi-
ties to the drive for propaganda funds in accordance
with the action of the Irish Race convention Of
Feb. q, at Philadelphia. It was resolved at that
great convention to raise the of 81 $4,000 for
the purpose of counteractng the insidious and sim
lister attempts of the British propaganda in America
to neutralize minimize the strong natural trend
Of public opinion here in behalf of Irish freedom.
1t is we'll known that of our hitherto most
popular newspapers and periodicals have been en-
gagged in this British campaign of poisoning and
of Engand's. In 1872 the historian co James
Anthony Froude came to America similar mis-
sion, but thanks to the alertness of the friends of
Ireland, his. efforts were reduced to .naught.
Father tom" Burke, the great Dominican, was in
this country at the time, and persuaded to
make answer in series of public lectures to the
scurrilous indictments of Froude and the English
historian went down to ignominious defeat. Even
the New York Tribune was forced to say that the
eloquent and scholarly Dominican had torn his
history into atters and battered his logic into smith
Green's"
But Froude's efforts conducted in the open,
while the present anti-Irish campaign in America
is mainly of an underground and invisible char
dSlCl LII SOHt INSTANCES open anu direct lOSCllIy
is manifested, while in others the campaign is car
red on by means of a conspiracy Of silence or by
intimidation ridcule of the activities of Irish
Americans to secure hearing for the cause of the
motherland at the world tribunal in Paris. 1t is
time for the friends of Ireland to remain idle or
passive while this insidious procedure is being
ried to the detrment of their objective; and the
fund to be raised will be used to counteract far
as possible the British activities One of the most
effective to do this is to take steps for pro-
vidng due publicity in relation to Irish affairs, both
in Ireland and America; and that garbled and dis
torted news (?) shall be promptly challenged with
the truth. The American people may then be left
to draw their own conclusions for as WIS. Kinley
has declared the american people have never yet
run away from difficult problem nor failed to per-
form definite duty when made clear to them.
There can be no doubt that such fund will be of
substantial advantage to the cause. It's weight may
be the necessary item which shall bring down the
scales of public opinion on the side of Ireland
Indications are that the fund will be generously
oversubscribed The state of California with a
quota of $4,000 is likely to raise $4,000, with
San Francisco and Los Angeles each expecting to
reach the $4,000 mark. Montana, too is likely to
far exceed her quota, will also the depend
able state of Minnesota.