The Irish standard., 1919-03-15
THE IRISH RESOLUTION IN CONGRESS

BY rising vote of 216 to II the resolution request
ing President Wilson to his good offices at the
Peace Conference for the application of the princi-
pie of self-deermnation in the case of Ireland was
passed in the House of Representatives in the clos
ing hours OF the Congress that adjourned March 4.
Little opposition was made to the passage OF the
measure, and the few members who voted against
1T did SO chiefly on the ground that they were dsin-
cllned to 40 anything that mi ght tend to enlbarrass
President Wilson in his Conference labors. rather
than because of antagonsm to the spirit of the
luton.
The resolution found it's way to the Senate during
the closing hours of its last session. and there su-
tered the tate OF dozens of other pending bills that
tailed of consideration because of the flbusterine
tactics 1t is quite probable that if it was not thus
snothered among the rest of the debris of legisla
ton that the upper house would have registered an
approval OF the measure quite strong as that of
their confreres in the lower body Most of the
Senators would have voted for it because it const-
tutes an expression of sentiment that comes straight
from the heart of the American people, and is in
consonance with the liberty spirit of 1876; While
others would have favored it from motives less al
trulstic-perhaps in the hope of adding another to
the number OF the Presidents worries. At any rate
there is good reason to believe that the resolution
would be passed if action had been possible
Inc article OF the League Constitution which
seeks to guarantee permanency of the territorial d.
visions of the several nations as thew now exist
would, OF course if adopted preclude the release of
ireland from British thralldom But it is not at all
likely that America will accept such a broad ex-
penslve and responsible commission AS Senator
Knox has pointed out such provision would cast
us fully into the cauldron of world politics, en-
broiling in the ntermnable quarrels of the
Balkan countries and rendering necessary the sac
rihce of American life and treasure upon everv up-
heaval among these turbulent states. The article
in question should therefore be radically amended
or altogether eliminated if the League plan is to
find cceptance among the American people,
While the Irish resolution, then has not been for
mally adopted by Congress it had been advanced so
people on the issue involved: 1t received virtually
unanimous support among the members of the lower
house, who are in direct touch with the sentiment
of their constituencies The dispatches say that at
the hour of adjournment the "Wearin' O. the Green"
was sung with great enthusiasm under the leader
ship of Congressman Gallivan of Boston, thus en-
phaslding the action taken on the resolution This
augurs we'll for the of Ireland in the future
in Congress- 1t is altogether probable that special
session of that body will be called before the case of
Ireland is finally disposed of at the Peace Confer
ence and another opportunity be given to the men,
bers to put record before the entire world the de-
Sire and will of the American people on this i'm
portant issue. 1t is not time, therefore, for the
friends Of the Irish to slacken their efforts
but rather to put new energy into them. |
Let every Representative and Senator hear from !
their constituents this point. Let them be made
to know and feel that the peace job cannot be |
permanently finished until the just claims and de- |
mands of Ireland full consideration before
the tribunal Of the nations of the world.