The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1919-07-12
Min Hist Society
state Capitol

The Irish Race convention held in
Philadelphia on the 22nd and 23rd of
February, 1919, provided by resolution
for the appointment of a committee of
25 by the chairman, and instructed it
to use all honorable means to secures
for ireland her right of self-determi-
nation.
This general committee selected
from its own body Frank p Walsh of
New York, former Governor Edward F.
Dunno of Illinois and Michael ]. Ryan
of Philadelphia, as special commits
sion to go to Paris. The instructions
of this special committee were as
follows:
"To obtain for the delegates select
ed by the people of Ireland hearing
at the peace conference, and to place
before the conference, if that hearing
be not given, the case of Ireland; her
insistence upon her right of self-de-
termination; and to international
recognition of the republican form of
government established by her peo-
ple.''
Upon their arrival at Paris letter
signed by all the commissioners was
addressed to President Wilson, asking
him to obtain from the British govern
ment safe conducts for Eamonn De
Valera, Arthur Griffith and Count
George Noble Plunkett, the represen-
tatives selected by the people of Ire
land. from Dublin to Paris and re-
turn; and also asking him to accord
an interview to the American commits
sion.
In response to this letter the presi-
dent wrote to Mr.. Walsh, chairman of
the commission, granting him an in
terview and fixing the time.
The president gave an exhaustive
hearing to the case as presented by
Mr.. Walsh and referred him to Col.
e. M. House with instructions to say
that he believed the request proper
one, and that It should be granted.
The entire commission waited upon
Colonel House, advised him of the
suggestion of the president and pre-
sented the request in writing for safe
conducts for Messrs. De Valera, Grif-
fifth and Plunkett. Colonel House
promised to take the matter up with
Lloyd George Immediately and to use
every effort to have the safe conduct
granted.
Upon the following day Colonel
House announced to the commission,
who again called upon him in body,
that he had communicated with the
prime minister of England, and that
in all likelihood the safe conducts
would be granted; but that Lloyd
George was very desirous of having
an interview with the American COM
missioners personally and would be
glad to have Chairman Walsh take up
the matter of fixing the time and place
for the meeting with Lloyd Georges
confidential secretary, Philip Kerr.
The commission notified Colonel
House at once that they did not seek
conference with Lloyd George;
doubted very much the wisdom or pro.
priety of meeting him, but finally
agreed to do so as a matter of cour.
tesy.
Later in the day the entire commits.
sion called upon Colonel House and
stated that under no circumstances
did they wish to be relegated to Lloyd
George on the question Of the issuance
of the safe conducts, but were relying
upon him, Colonel House, as one of
the American commissioners, to sc.
cure compliance with the request, If
possible. With this clear understand
ing they would meet the prime min
lister.
Lloyd George, on the plea IF being
closely occupied with the preparation
of the German peace terms, put off
the proposed meeting with the dele.
gates from time to time, covering a
period of something like two weeks.
The American commission finally
called upon Colonel House, explained
once more that no part of the duties
of their mission called for meeting
with Lloyd George, and asked him to
address formal request for the safe
conducts for Messrs. De Valera, Crit
fifth and Plunkett, to Lloyd George
and secure, If possible, prompt and
direct answer to that request.
Upon the same day, and shortly be-
fore the visit of the commission to
Colonel House, Messrs. Sean T.
OCeallaigh and George Gavin Duffy
the representatives of the Irish repub.
lie in Paris, conveyed an invitation
from President De Valera to the com.
mission to visit Dublin, and gave
among other reasons, the necessity for
q conference upon matters Of grave