Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-04-18
PREDICT IRELAND
WILL HAVE VOICE
AT PEACE TABLE
IRISH DELEGATES WILL BE IN.
/ viTED TO CONFERENCE WITH
IN TEN DAYS, SAYS M. J. RYAN.
SPOKESMAN FOR MISSION.

Paris. April 1S.-Within week or
ten days Irelands peace delegates
Professor de Valera, GrlfIiths and
Count Horace Plunkett are to be in
vited to the peace conference, and
they are going to place Ireland's case
before the big four"
This prediction was made to Uni
versal Service in an exclusive inter
view today by NJ. j. Ryan OF Phila-
delphia, a member of the American
Irish peace delegation, after five or
six days of careful soundings' in Pa
ris, Mr.. Ryan said
we place all our hope in President
Wilson, and ! can safely say that as a
result OF our work here in the past
few days this hope will be justified.
Underneath the surface OF American
diplomacy at the peace conference
there is gradual breaking down Of
the barriers against Ireland, and the
thread-worn excuse that America
cannot automatically at this time
come out openly for Ireland is rapidly
disappearing.
Case Looks Bright"
THE lrish-American peace delega-
ton has mapped out its program Tho
peace conferences invitation to Ire
lands delegates is the first step
cannot discuss the second step now.
but can tell the Irish back home that
lreland's case looks bright
France has gone out of her way to
be kindly and considerate of the com
fort of our delegation The French
government even had a special repre-
sentative to meet US at the boat and
to expedite the handing of our bag
gage without subjecting it to search.
France has cordially invited us about
the whole country as honored guests,
That is not only the attitude of
France but it is rapidly becoming the
attitude of nearly the whole OF the
peace conference as | see it.
Warns Of Consequences.
THE civilized nations of the world
are beginning TO realize that there
never will be league of nations and
there never will be universal peace
with Ireland left seething in her pres
ent state of malcontent and unrest.
1T is not only best for Ireland, but
best for Great Britain that this ques-
.tion be settled now. And what is
more, American wants it settled now.
IN colleague, Frank I Walsh 1
believe. controls a greater part OF
American labor than any other living
man, and / say that with Samuel
Gompers and others in mind. Unless
Ireland is given justice and freedom.
there is a dread thought of the conse-
quences"
Ryan limited that the Irsh-Amerlcsn
triumyirate had been closeted with
high American personages in Paris
with good results. but he refused to
reveal any names.
Wilson Receives Delegation.
President Wilson late Thursday aft
ernoon received the lrish-Amerlcan
delegation. Walsh was spokesman.
representing not only himself but
also former Governor Dunno OF Hi
nois and Ryan He urged lreland's
right to become republic,
Walsh insisted that the self-deter-
mination clause Of President Wilson's
fourteen points compelled the peace
conference to give Ireland self-goy
eminent,
President Wilson listened sympa-
theticaly to the explanations of Mr.
Walsh, who is personally friendly with
him.
The Irish Americans further urged
a complete hearing by the peace con
terence of the claims of actual irish
men now here, including the Sim
I.