The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-30
That Is Cry of Irish in q. s..
Regarding League.
Witnesses Speaking for 20 Mill
lion Appear Before Congress.
SAY [. OF N. MEHACES U. S,
Delegates Were "DOdged" by
q. s. Peace Mission:
Walsh Says "Secret Seven" Is
Sitting To Form League.

Washington. Aug. 20-Demanding
rejection OF the League of Nations.
speakers representing Irish organiza-
lions and persons of Irish descent in
America today presented to the for
eign relations committee Ireland's plea
for national independence.
The committee room was packed
with Irish sympathizers. who said they
spoke for 100000 Americans of
Irish blood
Menace to the United States
Justice Daniel Cohalan, of the New
York supreme court. opening the
hearing. declared that the League of
Nations will give England such control
of the seas that American commerce
will be stifled and driven from the
seas.
We believe that it is intolerabie to
self respecting. outstanding Ameri-
cans" Cohalan said. ito ask US to en-
ter into any agreement under which
any power, no matter how friendly it
may claim to be, shall have six votes
to our one, or under which the power
to declare war or to control either di-
rectly or indirectly our armies and
navies shall be placed in the hands of
a group OF foreigners. or men outside
of the regularly constituted authorities
of our nation"
Cohalan and other speakers strong
ly condemned article 10 of the league
covenant on the ground that it would
prevent any nation going to the aid
of Ireland in struggle for her inde-
pendence. Cohalan was followed by
Frank P. Walsh, who was chairman
of the American commission on Irish
independence which went to the peace
conference in behalf of Ireland's free
dom.
Has Embarrassing Letters.
Walsh submitted to the committee
all the correspondence with members
of the peace conference and offered
to give. in executive session, further
facts which if made public would
prove embarrassing to certain gentle
men," he said.
Senators johnson, California, and
Fall New Mexico. argued that the
committee should not receive such in
formation confidentially, but should
be made part of the printed record.
BY vote of the committee. Walsh was
directed to submit the confidential in
formation, which includes an inter-
view with President Wilson. with the
understanding that all of it will be
made public.
Walsh declared that Ireland ex-
pccted the peace conference would
ton, but we found" he said, that
no small nation was given a hear
Ing"
"Dodccd by U. S. Delegates"
THE American peace commission
told us" he said, that unofficially
they loved us. but officially they were
ready to jump out the window when
they saw us. The interviews we will
submit will show how they lodged
us."
Senator Borah suggested that there
must be some one besides the Ameri-
can commission did not want you to
have a hearing"
"Oh, yes. the representatives of
George V were against u.s." replied
Walsh.
He declared that the league of ma
tfons covenant was not really assented
to by the nations. Describing the Sos
zion at the DUAL D'Orsay at which
President Wilson read the first draft
of the covenant. Walsh said:
Protests Not Recognized.
"AIl over the room as the president
read, you could see men bobbing up.
eager to say a word in protest, but
they were not recognized. And then
CIemenceau calmly announced that If
there are no objections. the covenant
is adopted 1t was like the mob pri-
maries we used to have out in Mis-
souri,"
Walsh asserted that mo amount OF
amendment can make Inc League
covenant an honest document"
Walsh charged that secret agree
ments for the disposition of territory,
and signed by American delegates, ex-
list and will govern the actions OF the
council of the League of Nations.
Secret Seven Sitting?
Walsh surprised some committee
members by announcing that some
place in the world a committee Of
seven is sitting to organize the League
of Nations, prepare the agenda for the
first meeting and name the official
personnel. This committee was ap-
pointed by Clemenceau."
Senators asked If Walsh knew the
members of the Clemenceau commit
tee, but he said he didn't. Sir Eric
Drummond. secretary-general OF the
league. will have more power. he said,
than most of the delegates to the as
sembly.
He asserted that representatives of
liberty loving peoples not only won't
be admitted to the building where the
league OF nations is housed-they
won't even be allowed to enter the
country where the seat OF the league
is. The league won't hear appeals for
freedom"
Referring to conditions In Ireland.
Walsh said that British censorship has
kept the truth from the world. He
submitted a. report drawn up by
Governor Dunno. of Illinois. and him
self. after their visit to Ireland.
THE intelligent people in ireland
believe that Pesident wilson's four
teen points are in the hearts OF the
American people," he said.