New-York tribune., 1919-03-18
Demand That Z. S. Insist
on Islands Freedom Is
Cheered at Banquet
General Organ a Guest
Ireland Safe Against Boil
shevism, Says Speaker,
Asks Only for Her Own

Martin H. Conboy, director of the
seiectlve draft in New York City,
brought 1900 citizens of Irish extrac-
ton cheering to their feet last night
when he assailed the proposed league
of nations constitution as contrary to
the principles for which the United
States had fought. He spoke at the
st. Patrick's Day dinner of the Friend
ly Sons of St. Patrick at the Hotel
Commodore.
"What would be moro fitting" said
Mr.. Conboy, "than for the American
people to declare that until the status
OF ireland as free nation has been
established the United States will
never become party to a league Of
nations which would require them to
reweld beyond all possibility of break
ing the shackles with which Ireland is
bound 2"
Mr.. Conboy analyzed Articles VIII.
TX and X Of the projected league coyen-
ant. He contended they were framed
not only to guarantee the territorial
integrity of Great Britain as now con-
stituted, but to obligate all nations en-
terlng the league to help keep Ireland
in subsection.
No Field for Bolshevism
"The character and god sense of the
Irish people, he said. "can be counted
upon to reject Bolshevism and similar
disturbing doctrines. The peace Of Eu-
rope is not threatened by the Irish.
All they want is their own country.
eve are told the day of militarism
IS past. Yet England maintains an
army OF occupation Of 100000 men in
ireland. For the present it is neces-
sary to keep soldiers in Russia to COM
bat Bolshevism and in Germany to
hold our foes in check, and the world
Will be made safe for democracy if
the purpose of the soldiers in Russia
and Germany is accomplished. But
the world will be made unsafe for de-
diers in Ireland is accomplished.
Plainly taking issue with President
Wilson's reputed utterance at his
White House conference with the SEN
ate and House Foreign Relations Com
mittees, Mr.. Conboy asserted the "sit-
uation in Ireland is not a domestic but
world question" He dwelt upon the
Presidents annunciation of the prin-
ciple of self determination for small
nations, declaring:
TO deny to the Irish the right Of
self determination would brand this
great nation as a hypocrite and the
greatest statesmen of our age with IN
paralleled deception.
Irish Liberty Not Barred
Woodrow Wilson," he resumed. "did
from the otherwise universal applica-
ton of this principle, nor did Great
Britain when she, in common with the
other powers, accepted the principle.
make any such qualification.
therefore, | say, it is inconceirable
that the United States should become
a party to compact sponsored by
England which guarantees the subiec-
ton of Ireland
Article VIII of the proposed league
constitution would give to England
patton In Ireland. Incidentally, under
any feasible armament agreement, it
would compel the United States to
maintain force of 100000 in addition
to her regular military establishment
to bring about equalization of arma-
ment.
ARTICLE K provides that the parties
to the league must aid in PRESERVING
the territorial integrity Of all the
other members. Thus would the
United States be obligated to guarantee
the territorial integrity Of Great
Britain and the subjection Of ireland.
Justice Bowling Presided
Supreme Court Justice Victor J..
bowling was toastmaster The other
speakers were Irwin s. Cobb, Marcel
Knecht, French High Commissioner to
the United States; the Rev. John J..
Brady, chaplain Of the 9Th United
States Marines, and the Rev. Peter f..
Hoey, G. S. P, chaplain of the 107th
Infantry
Archbishop designate Patrick J.
Hayes and Major General John F.
Organ were among those at the guest
table. They received ovations, as did
Major General Thomas II. Barry, com
mander of the Department Of the East.
Justice Bowling commented on the
great attention being paid to the
claims for elf-determination "of hith-
erto unheard Of races"