Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-12-13


Committee on Foreign Affairs -
Occasion Was Consideration of Sill
Appropriatinu Funds to Send U. s.
Representative to Government Set
Up by lnsurgent Irish Republicans
Washington. Dec 1.-The claim af
the Irish Republic TO recognition as
an independent government was
brought to Congress again today and
was debated in militant fashion
through tempestuous aIl-day SEES
sion Of the House committee on for
eign affairs.
A crowd which damned the COM
mittee room and blocked adjoining
corridors punctuated the proceedings
with cheers and with boots of disap-
prevail as the opposing speakers pre-
scented their arguments, and many
times threw the sessions into disor-
der by yelling gratuitous advice to
the committee and witnesses. Il in
ciuded many leaders Of the cause Of
Irish freedom in this country and
manifested in many ways its sympa-
thy with the plea for recognition.
The occasion was committee con-
sideration of bill by Representa-
tive Mason, Republican, Illinois.
which would appropriate funds for
dispatch of diplomatic and consular
representatives to the government
set up by the 1nsurgent Irish Repub-
leans. Its supporters declare il pre-
scented an opportunity for Congress
TO do all it could constitutionaIly
toward a full diplomatic recognition
and its oppunets condemned it as an
effort to involve the United States in
a dangerous foreign situation.
Late in the session charges Of pro-
Germanisn ON the part of Irish Re-
publican leaders and some of their
supporters in this country threw the
meeting into Juror, which the COM
mittee quieIed with difficulty after
eA1C $~A<AA3 AAAca3k AG1a " lieu
suits to any Of the witnesses. Inter
ruptions so prolonged the hearing
that the committees plan of conciud-
ing today was abandoned and the
arguments will be resumed tomor-
row.
Justice Daniel F. Cohalan Of the
New York state supreme court and
Frank P. Walsh, who headed the
Irish-American delegation sent TO
Paris during the pence. negotiations
appeared to esPeuse the cause o.
Irish Eee<inm and ask for passage OF
the bill The arguments in oppose
ton were made by George L. Fox OF
New Haven. Conn: George T. Lem
on of Troy. n. Y. president of the
National Federation of Presgyter-
ian Patriotic Societies and others.
Eamonn De Valera. president of
the Irish Republican government,
who came TO Washington yesterday
to confer with Irish American lead
but Harry Boland. secretary of the
Republics parliament sat with
Justice Cohalan and Mr.. Walsh AMI
frequently advised them in the pre-
sentation of their case
The provisional government these
speakers argued, clearly was a de
facto government. having a complete
executive and parliamentary organ
ization. an effective army of 1DB00
and united popular support Th3
government. they ASSERTED. is func-
tioning in many important matters
while the British authorities have
abandoned their attempt TO carry
out many Of the duties Of govern
ment
These statements all were denied
by Mr. Lemon and Mr.. Fox. who
said there was a great division Of
sentiment among the Irish both in
Ireland and the United States and
that little real headway could be
made by the Republic as a govern
mental agency. They declared the
Slim Fem party backing the republic
was one of three powerful political
organizations in Ireland and had
handicapped the allies in winning
the war.
An understanding between Irish
Americans and Ger1nan-Americans
was charged by Mr.. Lemon. and Mt.
Fox carried the suggestion a step
further by turning to Mr.. Walsh and
declaring that during the war this
man was thinking to help Germany -
The crowd. IN which the tri-color Of
the Irish republic was conspicuous
along with the Stars and Stripes.
houted down the assertion and
cheered committee men when they
objected.
Mr.. Fox will continue his speech
when the committee meets tomorrow
and Bourke Cochran OF New York
will make the concluding address for
thu Advocates nf the hill