Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1919-03-29

Il
1915 the Liberal party. then in
power with Asquith and Lloyd
George as leaders, of their own ac-
cord humanely excluded Ireland
from its provisions, knowing that
she had done a noble part. Follow
ing Asquith's retirement as leader,
and the accession of the Tories into
more than partial power, with
Curzon, Balfour and Bonar Law and
Carson in the saddle, true to their
old traditions they included ireland
In the CONSUMPTION act. The irish
race be saved. For this they are
Tories, and looked upon by such
men as Milford as not worthy of
notice at the present time. But
did not Australia, New Zealand and
South Africa resist CONSUMPTION
also, or rather refuse to enact
Consumption measure? Why are not
they held up as disloyal? Ireland's
part in the war instead of censure
observes the highest commentator,
and no haser lie was ever uttered
than that they conspired with the
enemy. No better proof can be
furnished of Irish loyalty than that
the Irish prisoners in German
camps refused to go forth to fight
in German ranks against the Allies.
One other turn given the question
by the correspondent is to endeavor
to show that the Unitde States has
no right to recognize Ireland at
the Peace Conference any more than
that England should have recog-
nized the Confederacy. First let me
say that if the United States does
one-half as much for Ireland now
as England did for the Confederacy
the Irish in America will be salts
fed Then let me say that England
practically recognized the Confed-
eracy, as shown by the Alabama
claims payment, which would not
have taken place if England were
not fully responsible. The state Of
affairs is altogether different in re-
gard to the Peace Conference. 1t
Is a congress of nations, convened
not only to draw up a treaty of
peace, but more specially to handle
disputed questions between nations,
so as to secure just and lasting
peace in the world. Ireland comes
well within the scope of the confer
ence and the United States is as
we'll within its rights to take up the
Irish question as it is any other
question that may be brought for
ward If any of our colonies, Porto |
Rico, Hawaii or the Philippines, |
came demanding self-government, it |
would be perfectly within the right |
of Great Britain to bring all the |
=, Oh 10 In |
their behalf without any offense to |
the United States. The case of
Poland, Czecho-Slovakia, Jugo
Solovakia, Armenia are considered,
and yet with the exception of
Poland not one of its own accord
seeks self government. 1t is being
urged for them by the allied ma
tions, not for the sake of the peo
pie, but to have buffer States for
their own protection. Then such
States as they are-only an
agglomeration of peoples, differing
In nationality, religion and Ian
guage. Even Poland has a larger
sprinkling of Germans and Russians
than has Ireland of Orange faction
lists and English place men, carpet
baggers sent over from England to
do for the Irish what the old time
Yankee carpet-baggers did for the
Southern people after the war, mis-
govern and outrage them. Perhaps
The most farfetched reason for Eng
lands opposition to Ireland having
disagreement advanced by this
is that an independ-
ent State so located and because of
It's proximity to England would be
1 menace to England's peace. But
rs an eminent man said recently in
'eply to the same statement, Eng
and has a nation much larger and
nearer to it than Ireland-France-
rom which she could be more easily
attacked, and Ireland being far
moved from other European nations,
With England interposing, would not
S there not to be the League of
Nations for protection?
Just think of a nation of thirty
even millions fearing little State
# only about four millions. The
ruth is England fears for her com
nerce rather than her peace or
afety. England has always retarded
reland's commercial growth. Her
esources are left undeveloped. her
the most prolific, are ne
elected, and her industries except in
Belfast are NIL her magnificent har-
ors, excepting two or three on the
England side, are as they were in
days, untouched by the !
and of man. 1t is not armed at
ack England fears from ireland,
ut her commercial rivalry.
Ireland asks today the right of =
differentiation, will be satisfied
nth nothing less, and her faithful
riends in this country are rallying Il
obly to her side. They will not 5
q hindered by any species of mis-
representation or threatening or
alumny. This is what Infatuated !
'ngland. She can coerce the =
IRISH at home; indeed Ireland is
)day under martial law, but Eng
Ind can not turn her machine guns !
nd brutal soldiery on those of the
rish race in the United States.
here is no doubt but that the
of a vast majority of
mericans is with struggling Ire
md today, and the American people
re willing to assist her, as was [
in the magnificent vote in +
lr House OF Representatives re- u
entity in her favor. c.
Milford pretends to speak not 81
erely his own views but those of r
amy others. He would have us u
slieve that there is a large party !