The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-15
THE RIGHTS OF IRELAND
Edward De Valera Tells What His
People Stand For.
By EDWARD DE VALERA.
President OF the Sim Fein party and
member Of parliament.)

president OF the Sim Tein party and
member OF parliament)
Somewhere in Ireland Feb. 25.-Engiand
has no right in Ireland England's de
facto government here rests solely on the
number Of her bayonets.
We challenge England to allow Ireland
the principle of free self determination Let
that principle be applied to this island as
4 unit and IL decisive majority OF the
whole people declare for separate. inde-
pendent statehood. then she will be silent
If England accepts the principle OF sell.
determination for this island II Will settle
the Irish question forever.
II a decisive majority should declare Tor
IL dependence. would not Ireland ne lEsu-
fled in claiming that and not something
less represents the free choice Of the peo-
pie. The recent elections prove it,
What Grounds to Refuse
On what grounds does England refuse
IreIand's demands England cannot pre-
tend to misunderstood that the challenge
we give her is the challenge Of the Irish
people. Let Us hear why she refuses to
we can ourselves settle our minority
question (UlsterJ because we shall want
10. England never will settle that minor
ity question because she desires to keep
it unsettled. Let her remove her inter
We ask the world to listen aud 40 judge
between ireland and England, but II the
principle with which the world has Tung
for the last four years shall prove to be
a mockery. If Ireland-s claim still is flout-
ed. then she must find refuge once more
which has maintained her in the past.
She can still at least endure and depend
NJ in Ireland that will see to 1t that II
England wants to still rule her she must
do 50 with never Sheated sword
VIII Paris Meeting Act
Do I believe the statesmen in Paris will
force England to do Justice TO ireland
Many people are asking that question
They are convinced. l suppose. that of her
self England will not do justice to Ireland
They doubt perhaps that the delegates
from the other nations will be either so
ifSinterested or such determined cham
England on behalf Of a country which pos
sesSes less OF the worlds goods than Eng
land when nothing but the principles of
justice are at stake These doubters may
he right. they may be wrong l DO not
pretend to know do know that if this
issue should unhappIly be rs the doubters
are obviously satisfied IL will he, then the
ryHic can feel that once more he has been
justified and the simple and trusting OBJ
viousIy imposed upon. Then indeed there
will have been deception
finger Of scoru and Indignation at these
statesmen. They will have right to ask :
Where now is that impartial justice that
spoke much about: Where now is this
new order and these handsome foundations
of lasting peacef Were all these beautiful
professions Of yours that simple and
grand. seemed tuned to the eternal verfties
of our souls. Weakening in them sym
pathetic response that we could not smooth
er-were these beautiful professions but
skilfHy Suun phrases finely woven to
enme>h u.s.
Only as other Wars.
Arc Won after all only as were the rest
was this war only as were other wars
was il for your puuy ambitions that hu-
1uapfrv has endured the horrors of the
past five years and the entail of sorrows
they have bequeathed to the future l do
not know whether the statesmen at Paris
will prove worthy of the trust or whether
they will be great enough to grasp the
opportunity that requires little to i'm
prove it and found firmly now these reIa-
tons between peoples on Il basis worthy
of our common humanity.
fsut il i surely a source of hope to know
that At Paris there is one man AT lea st
who apparently realizes his duty and who