The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-19

Mir. Thomas M. Cullinan. mem Der of the Executive Committee. made the following statement on the Irish flag controversy today:
 "I agree with the rule and princi- pic that no foreign flag ought to. be displayed on any public building. This is the law of the state. If the pro test against the placing of the Irish flag on tho City Hall were based upon this sound principle, the objectors would be on solid ground.
 The precedent has been establish ed. however, for tho display of an emblem other than the American flag on the City Hall. without objection from any quarter. This outburst now from certain quarters is nlanifestly prompted by motives other than pa triotism.
 It is very significant that the leader In this public protest is Dr. Payne, who some years ago was conspicuous in the A. ?. A movement in this city. It will be recalled that at one time the A. P. A element got control of the Repub- ncan primaries in this city and that thoy nominated Dr. Payne for the board of education. He served the A r. A. representative on that board for one term.
 Every one Is conversant with the Nbct that the A. ?. A. organization was called into existence as an anti Irish ann anti-Catholic movement. And today the Pastors' Association GUes not oppose the display of the Irish emblem on the ground that a yrsbfto building should not fly any flag out the American flag.
 They devoted only three or four lines of their so-called protest fin the morning paper to opposing the fly ing of the Irish flag and their sole ground of protest Is that it would be "a gross impertinence to one of our Allies" Their entire protest is anti Irish rather than pro-American.
 They have gone far beyond the real issue as to whether the Irish flag should be placed on the flag pole of one of our public buildings They began their protest with the state ment that they mote with serious con- cern the Irish propa ganda now be- ing carried on" They then proceed to advance some of the arguments SO often heard from Sir Edward Car son and his followers.
 This attack on the position of those who seek the independence of Ireland is entirely uncal' Ad for in a protest against the exhibition of the Irish flag. It is entirely irrelevant to he real queston and shows plainly that the men who are sponsors for it are actuated by race and religious preju- dice rather than by pro-Americanism. The pastors represent that this move ment on the part of those of Irish blood to aid Irish independence is un- American and disloyal.
 They seem to forget the fact that the Senate of the United States within a few weeks. and with only one dis
 
 pressing thhe sympathy of that body with the aspirations of the Irish who ara seeking the independence of their country. They also seem to overlook the fact that the London Times which in the past has been the great organ of English opinion hostile to the Irish cause, took issue with Carson in his criticism of the Irish agitation in this country and admitted that the Irish in America are clearly within their rights in seeking to aid the land of their ancestors.
 The religious prejudice back of this protest is again evident when the assertion Is made that the majority in Ireland seek to impose an unwel- come ecclesiastical government on the minority. The writer of the pro test ignores the historical fact that the Irish movement for independence has never been religious move ment.
 Most of the Irish leaders seeking to throw off the English yoke from the time of the English conquest down to the present have been Prot estants. The pastors oppose the Irish movement for independence because they say a minority in Ire land would have A government to