Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1919-06-14

George Creel, who was Chairman
of the Committee on Public Infor-
nation during the war, and during
his services as press censor visited
Ireland, studied conditions and talk
ed TO leaders, writes as follows con
corning Ireland's claims for self
government in the New York Amer
lean:
The world is asked to consider
Ireland merely as "England's domes-
tic problem" Certain circumstances,
unyielding as iron, preclude the ac-
ceptance of any such view. Not
even by the utmost strain of amia-
BILE intent can a question that
strikes at the very heart of interna-
written off as domestic" That
magic formula, "self-determination, 4"
has marched armies and tumbled
empires these last few years, play
ing too large part in world con-
seriousness to be limited by any ar
bitrary discrimination in the hour
Of victory and adjustment.
Even as Poles, Czechs, Jugo-
Slavs, Ukranians, Firms and scores
of other submerged nationalities are
struggling to the upper air OF indie
pendence, so does Ireland appeal
to the solemn covenant of the Al
lies, with its championship of the
rights of small peoples" and its
sonorous assent to "the reign OF
law based upon the consent of the
governed"
As never before the Irish are
united. With the exception of pro-
testing majorities in four Ulster
counties, Ireland voted as a unit in
1918 for a republican form OF gov
eminent. The seventy-three repre-
sentatives elected by the Sim Fem
refused to take their seats at West
minister and have assembled as an
Irish Parliament, of sorts, in Dub
lin. The thousands of British sol
diers in Ireland virtually constitute
an army of occupation. In America
the race has put aside the factional
bitterness OF the past, and stands
solidly and squarely in support of
Ireland's demand for justice. II is
American aspect. In the United
people of Irish birth or descent,
woven into the warp and wool of
our national life by common aspira-
tions and devotions. They stand inn
placably to-day between this coun-
try and England, crying out against
any alliance. agreement or even
amity until the case of Ireland has
been fairly considered and justly
settled. Such mass, instinct with
intelligent emotionalism, cannot be
ignored either in honor, decency or
plain common sense This is a
democracy in which the treaty-mak-
ing powers OF government are under
the ultimate control Of the elector-
ate.
Make no doubt that the Irish vote
will be a block vote against England
and all things English as long as
the Irish question is allowed to per-
, sist It must be remembered also
that for forty years the cause of
Ireland has been pleaded unceasing-
ly in the United States by a host of
brilliant and persuasive PERSONAL
ties, with the result that great
body of liberal sentiment is firm in
the belief that Irish wrongs are real
and call for redress.
Nor many IL be forgotten that the
history OF the United States. written
in a spirit OF bumptious nationalism,
has not been calculated to make for
Anglo American understanding. The
comradeship of q great adventure in
humanity merely anaesthetized this
feeling. and any definite anti-Eng-
lish campaign will stir 1t to ugly
life. These forces. assembled and
assemblable, given unchanged con-
: ditions. will have power to direct