The Irish standard., 1919-11-08


and break down its solidarity. Ad-
miral Sims article is another con.
tribution to this cause.
Admiral Sims attempts to cast
odium on canon De Valera, the duly
chosen president of the Irish Re-
public, who is now being acclaimed
by millions of American citizens a
large proportion of whom are not
Irish blood. 1t is such odium that was
cast by the British at George Wash
ington before our Republic was recog-
nized, in time when American dele
gates were at Paris urging recogni-
tion when La Fayette came to Amer
lea to help us win freedom, and when
Franklin, seeking aid from Ireland,
pledged Americas support to the
Irish people in their own struggle for
independence. l append, Mr.. secre-
tary, copy of that pledge
No attempt will be made in this let
ter to show how erroneous are the
statements to which Admiral Sims
lends his name and the name of the
United States navy. Within three
days, the Irish National Bureau will
point out to Admiral Sims the truth
of the things about which he writes.
We beg to call your attention, how
ever, to the fact that Sim Fein which
the admiral denounces was supported
by the great mass of the Irish electo-
rate on December IA, 1918. In total
of 100 parliamentary constituencies,
" Sim Fein candidates were elected,
many of them without opposition, and
in the other electoral districts heavy
Sinn Fein vote was recorded. An at
tack, therefore upon Sim Feih is an
attack upon the bulk of the Irish peo-
pie.
Now, Mr.. Secretary, every American
admires the men of our navy-enlisted
men and officers. The great majority
of them always conduct themselves as
clean-living American citizens. They
are gentlemen always. But there are
others-and all naval officers are
fully aware of the fact-who require
stricter discipline on shore and on
ship. Left to their own caprice, they
sometimes invite sharp criticism and
very frequently the corrective disci-
pline of civilian law and regulations,
as we'll as preventive restraint.
Certainly, if the conduct of every
man in the American navy was always
above criticism, or, if it were never
necessary to check excesses of the
spirit which tradition and song tell
us is the life of the sailor, it would
have been unnecessary to have main
tained heavy naval police patrols in
New York, Boston, and elsewhere in
America where large numbers of
sailors were assembled.
This is not criticism of the Ameri-
can navy. 1t is mere statement Of
fact And who will say that our boys,
away from the restraining influences
of home and of native country, did
not-some of them-indulge in the
same, excesses as in home ports?
President Eamon De Valera has
stated plainly that the attacks at Cork
on American sailors were, in part,
the result of determination of the
Irish manhood to protect Irish women.
President De Valera went further and
| said that, with the same situation con-
| fronting them today, the men of Cork
| would inf1ict the same punishment as
| before. Any red-blooded man would
applaud this course provided just
cause was given. And President De
, Valera, scholar Of distinction hon
ored even by his enemies, for his up
rightness, stated, after careful inquiry
that such cause did exist.
! ireland through the world has ever
been noted for the virtue of its
women. Even her most bitter enemies
have not denied her the right of main
| tanning standard of national morality
that has compelled the praise of all
civilized people.
Admiral Sims could we'll have paid
tribute to the men of Ireland, If a pur
pose to be fair to Ireland and it's men
folk had guided his pen. He seeks tc
make it appear the men of ireland
classifying them as Sim Fein) were
not performing their share of the dut.
confronting the world in overthrowtnt
the German autocracy. What is hi
object in conveying that impression
IL it is not to direct criticism at Ire
, land?
: You. Mr.. Secretary, are in pos
ton to obtain official figures and ca
} verify the following:
: Our own great country. with IT