The Irish standard., 1919-06-14

one black spot in all the world where
freedom is denied the Inhabitants"
So said the Hon. Michael ]. Ryan,
one of the three delegates appointed
by the Friends of Irish Freedom to
demand recognition of the Irish Re-
public at the Peace Conference, on
his return from France on Sunday on
the steamship La Lorraine. His CO.
delegates, Frank P. Walsh and Ed
ward F. Dunno, will be here on the
Espange, about June z.
AS La Lorraine steamed past the
Statue Of Liberty Mr.. Ryan declared
the great mass of the Irish people
were in favor of complete separation
and were determined to secure their
freedom. Converts to the cause are
registering in hundreds every week,
and it will be for the welfare of Eng
land as well as for Ireland, he said,
if the Irish question is settled shortly.
OF his visits to France, England
and Ireland, Mr. Ryan said:
"The day before l left Paris, May
| %, had an interview with Colonel
House. This interview followed the
presentation of a letter signed by
Messrs. Walsh, Dunno and myself, to
President Wilson, asking him to use
his good offices to secure safe con-
duct from Dublin to Paris for Presi-
dent De Valera, Arthur Griffith and
Count Plunket. These men are the
chosen representatives of the Irish
people, and were authorized to speak
for them at the Peace Conference.
1T was generally known this re-
quest would be refused. 1t was
deemed advisable that l should re-
turn to the United States and present
to the Executive Committee of the
Friends of Irish Freedom a report of
what we had done-our successes and
sappointments-so that detailed
plan of action to be followed here in
the future might be mapped uot.
determined to BE Free.
Following the proposal that we
should meet Lloyd George, we went
to Ireland, trip not contemplated
by us when we left America. In
Ireland. found degree of enthusi-
asm exceeding my fondest expecta-
tions. All kinds and chacacters of
people formerly divided in political
opinions are now united in the deter
mination that Ireland shall not be
alone as the one black spot in all
the world where freedom is denied
the inhabitants.
Tin leaving Ireland after twelve
days stay there and addressing
thousands of people, l made the dec
laration which l believe to be true,
that five-sixths of the people of the
country are in favor of the Republic.
This sentiment is to be found not
only in great cities like Dublin, Cork,
Limerick, Galway and Athlone. but in
the smaller towns and villages.
"The people turned out in masses
and along the country roads over
which we motored, the farmers and
laborers lined up along the banks and
cheered. At night, especially as our
visit was drawing to close and we
were going from Athlone to Galway,
the fires were lighted on hundreds of
hills till the whole country seemed
to be fblaze.
"The people were so enthusiastic
over our visit that they listened at
tentively to our addresses even when
we spoke for hours in the pouring
rain as early as 1880 a. m
I'm Belfast, where we had been
especially asked to go by Sir William
Wiseman, representing Lloyd George
we found intense enthusiasm in the
throngs that greeted us.
Whatever else may or may not
be reported by US as delegates, this
message we. can bring back to Am
erica, and that is that the Irish peo
pie are determined to secure thei,
liberty.
4 made the plea over there that
it would be for the welfare Of Eng
land as we'll as for Ireland, that the
Irish question be settled.
Surely the manhood Of America
cannot believe there is an honest
settlement Of the great troubles
causing this world war if the troubles
of Poland, Of Jugo Slavonia, Of
Czecho- -Slovakia, of Ukrainia, Of Lithu
ania and others is silent, and of whose
location the school Biographies give
no trace, are given freedom, and Ire
land, one Of the oldest Of the Nations
and the most dauntless and persistent