The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-24
De VALERA ENERGIES
FROM HIS SECLUS|0N
Head of Republic of Ireland
Says He Speaks for Irish Ma
ton with An Authority Dem
ocratically as Sound as That
with Which Wilson Speaks
for America.
BY Patrick McEyoy

New York. June 23--Eamon De
Valera president of the Irish republic,
today emerged from the cloud Of
mystery that has yelled his move
n1ents since his arrival In the rnited
States.
crowd that filled the corridors of
the Waldorf Astoria and overlooked
from the Thirty third street entrance
of the hotel, making the street almost
that made the welking ring as
tall bronzed smooth shayen
man. wearing eyeglasses. stepped
from an automobile and made
way into the hotel. preceded
by Justice D. F. Cohalan and
John Dewey. one carrying a flag of
the Irish republic and the ether he
Stars and Stripes.
Shouts OF "Hurrah for De Valera"
and long live Ireland greeted the
party as they entered the crowded cor
ridors and one aged woman threw her
arms around DE Valera's neck and
kissed him as he came up The steps.
A flying wedge. formed by members
of the reception committee of the
Friends Of Irish Freedom. had d hard
| Job forcing way through the packed
masses OF Irish enthusiasts.
A smRil: battery Of newspaper re-
porters and photographers gathered TO
meet the Irish president In the state
apartment OF the Waldorf, which is
reserved for heads of nations and was
last occupied by President " iison. As
soon as he had made his bow to the
welcoming committee and exchanged
greeting with a few old friends, De
Valera appeared before the newspaper
men. With a smile. and speaking with
well modulated voice. with mellow
Irish brogue, he began by saying:
Il believe you gentlemen of the
press feel more or less hurt at being
unable to find me since the announce
ment OF my arrival. However, that
was not your fault | have been Nv
ing ineognito with some friends. but
now am here III my official capac city.
1t is 10 the press. rather than 10
the diplomats, that The representa-
peal If they really wish 10 save de-
mocrary. One OF the objects of my
visit was that I might present my
case to the people in my own words
and not as the English propa gandists
often have represented me"
READS STATEMENT
Dc Valera then read statement
setting forth that he had come To
America as the official head OF the
republic established by the viii OF the
Irish people as expressed in the gem
eral election OF last December He
declared that the unanimity ex-
pressed in this election WIS greater
than that under which the American
union and constitution had. been
eSta blished. and described the con
dftion that might have ensued, had
! England enforced a demand for abso-
| lutte unanimity in the case of the
American colonists. This picture he
drew as parallel to the situation in
Ireland, where the Ulster minority has
managed to block home rule for Ire
land
"The men who established your re-
public sought the aid of France" he
continued. We seek the aid Of
America. 1t is to seek that aid that
l am here. and I am confident that
shall not he disappointed come
here entitled to speak for The Irish
i nation with an authority democratic
cally as sound and as well based as
that with which President Wilson
speaks for III" United States. or LLOYD
George for England, or Clemenccau
for France,
Il come directly from the people Of
Ireland TO the people of America. con-
WINGED that the American people and
/
which, as government of the people.
ought 10 reflect itself to be made a
party to, the suppression Of the
! natural God-given right OF the Irish
/ people TO liberty.
This great American nation.
nurtured in liberty. has been Hberty's
most consistent champion. II has
never been appealed to in vain 1t
must surely be source of pride To
you all. as il is source Of hope TO
1 us to reflect that never have you I'M
dertakcn a cause that you did not
! bring to triumph.
The Latin nations, as well as Po-
land Hungary and Greece. are now
/ free states. Ireland, the one remain
ing white nation in the slavery OF alien
rule, will similarly be free unless
! Americans make scraps OF paper OF
their principles and prove falsely to
i the traditions their fathers have
/ handed down 10 them
! CaDff0l PO0irse In NNu nens.