The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-26

Every nation has right to its independence This is elemental right which has foundations in the of feelings pirations call out unmistakab1y for the freedom of the family called the freedom of the individual. The struggles sacrifices of peoples fin the pursuit of freedom since of history give ample proof if 1t were needed that the desire for freedom s natural real, universal and intense. But proof Is not needed. No fair minded anywhere will today deny nation its right to freedom.
 For more than thousand years Ireland and happy in their native civilization Every corner of the known earth benefited by the fruits of their culture But then armed imperta1- ism, spurred by imperial greed upon her. Her native institutions were destroyed. The try devastated and depopulated by fire and sword and long of political industrial sup pression began which has continued present day with a consistent unity purpose.
 Ireland English colony, but s,nce the English invaded her shores their policy toward Ireland has been based the immoral ideas which the old nations Europe treat ment of their colonies which England based her treatment of her coIonfes-that colonies existed only be exploited by the motherland, regardless of the rights and wishes of the co1onists. Eng lands American colonies stood this treatment but for short while; then they revolted and expelled the forces by which it was maintained. Ireland greater right, ha similarly been in re- volt continued for than centuries but her geographical position being less favorable she has not yet succeeded in winning herself
 Irish1nen against Eng land during the recent war were truly engaged any who fought the continent They fought their fight tho ground that was nearest them. They had no need to engage on a crusade to distant lands. A branch of the oppression which the cru sading sons of America set out to destroy was at Irishmen's doorsteps at home
 The aims of the Irishmen pressly contained in President Wilson's pronounce ments were the war aims of America Their fight, too, ito make the world safe place to live in" safe for their peace loving nation, which simply wanted Tive its life, deter institutions, and be assured justice and fair dealing by other peoples of the world" in stead of being subjected to force and selfish gression." For them, too, the issues of the fight could be stated as "Vhether the military power of neighboring nation be suffered determine the fortunes of a people over whom they had right of force; whether weak nation should be subject the purposes and interest of a strong whether people to be governed by their choice dominated against their will by arbitrary irresponsible force; whether the weak should be the mercy of the strong, whether once and should be full and unequvocal ceptance of principle that the interest of the 
 The Irishmen truly fought for these principles Ireland against England who grossly violat- ing them there while with audacious hypocrisy she was proclafming herself their champion the tinent; reality the closest spiritual ciates American soldiers who set out to principles everywhere without exception.
 Ireland a right freedom. She has long and earnestly demanded it, and demands 1t with voice that there Is no m1sunderstand- ing. Last December at the elections held through