Omaha daily bee., 1919-07-13
WANTS BRITISH
FORCES REMOVED
FROM IRELAND
De Valera Makes Rousing
Speech to Big Crowd
in Chicago.

Chicago, July IA ls-minute
demonstration greeted Eamonn De
Valera. president of the Irish re-
public" when he rose to speak at a
luncheon in his honor Saturday. He
was borne on the shoulders Of guests
and carried around the room as he
waived an Irish flag in one hand and
an American flag in the other.
Mr., De Valera came to Chicago
in the morning and was received by
a committee Of 100 and a large
crowd. Among the events on his
program, Monday is mass meeting
at the National League base bali
park, II 't
In his luncheon address, Mr.. De
Valera told his auditors they were
like those whom your great LIN
coin ironically derided as upholders
of the great principle that if one
mar makes slave of another, it is
nobody else's business
Desire Independence.
The people of self-determination
to select their own government" he
said, sis the basis of no fewer than
ten of the fourteen points which
your president put forward as Amer
ica's aims in the war and the grounds
on which America would make
peace" So. he said, the Irish people
had Seized the opportunity of the
recent elections to prove in a peace
full manner that they desired an in
dependent republics
The word secession as applied
to our movement for independence
is a misapplication of the term, for
there has been no previous volun-
tary union or partnership" he said.
Our only demand of England is
that her forces of occupation be re-
moved in order that the government
set up by the Irish people, the de
lure government, of which | have
the honor to be the chief executive,
may function as the people desire it
to function
Want U, S. Recognition.
The recognition of this govern
ment and of the republic by the
American nation as the true govern
ment of Ireland will materially as
sist US in our efforts to carry out the
will of the people. I feel certain
that the American government will
respond to the wishes Of the Amesi-
can people, mad L believe that this
demonstration today is clear indi-
cation of the wishes of the people
of this great city"
"Deprecates Criticism.
Referring to the kissing Of the
name President Wilson at de
Valera's New York meeting, the
speaker said:
What l think is this: would be
deeply Inundated if my presence
here in your country and my adj
vocacy of the just and reasonable
claims of The Irish people should be
made the occasion of any demon
STATIONS of hostility to your presi-
dent. He is your president and
whilst, as Americans, you have a
right no doubt to criticise, you will
forgive ME for saying / feel it is
not in good taste before a stranger.
I am here to get the aid of all
lovers of liberty in America and
they embrace all sections. Those
who would identify US with any
sections and those who act un-
worthily Of what is a holy cause,
are, ever, though it be uncon-
sc:ously, the worst enemies OF
Ireland.
FINALLY. I cannot see any good
purpose that is served by the press
exaegeration of the New York in
cident. As pointed out this
morning, one or two in a meeting
would be very obvious device for
those who are opposed to our cause
to send agents for that purpose."