Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-24
IRISH MOVEMENT
GAINS, SAYS RYAN
Former Service Commits.
sioner Views Convention
Here as Great Aid
TO P TO WILSON
Committee to See President
and Tell Him War on Eng
land Has Been Voted

lrelands- claim TO self-determination
will be greatly aided by the work begun
in this city as the result of the con-
vention Of the Friends of Irish Free
dom, which ended It's sessions here last
night.
This opinion was voiced today by Mi
chael ]. Ryan, former Public Service
| Commissioner Dr.. william Carroll, DR..
Patrick McCartan, envoy Of the Irish
republic: Michael Donohoe and other
P~hiladelphians interested in ~1reland's
fight for freedom.
THE meetings were the best ever held
in the country. not even purely Ameri'
can gatherings ever showing such deter
mined enthusiasm to go through with
the task In hand to an ultimate victory
Mr.. Ryan said. "All Interested showed
a depth Of feeling n intensity OF IN
terest unparalleled.
"Other meetings Of Irish-Americans
with the same object-that OF creating
a free ~Ireland-have been called in years
past, but never to meet with such sue
cess as the convention just ended.
Representative Delegations
Delegates representive Of all sections
of the country and Of all creeds were
present to add their voices to the de-
mand that England relinguish control OF
Ireland. The message OF the conven-
ton will be spread throughout the
United States by the delegates returning
home. The pledglng of 100000 to
support the work begun at the meet
ings is the best proof Of the sincerity
Of the delegates"
Mr.. Ryan said that steps are already
under way to arrange a meeting with
President Wilson and the special COM
mittee appointed to take up the question
of Irish freedom with him.
".All members Of the committee are
ready to proceed to Washington on an
hours notice to keep an appointment
with Mr.. Wilson and place the views
of 1rish-Americans and others before
him. Mr.. Ryan said.
DR.. McCartan said that much good
undoubtedly would result from the con.
vention. The meeting was worth all the
time and effort expended, he said, II for
no other reason than the success IL
achieved as in forging q closer bond
between the Irish in the United States.
He paid q compliment to the courage of
fifteen delegates from Canada who at
tended the conference.
State Of War Exists
The committee will try to meet with
the President IN Washington some time
this week and officially declare to him
that a state Of war now exists between
England and ireland and ask him to
guarantee for Ireland the same powers.
they say, he obtained for Poland, the
Ukraine. Belgium and other small ma
tions of Europe.
Four P~hiladelphians were given places
on the committee. They are Archbishop
Dougherty. Michael J.. Ryan, Micha Ell
Francis Doyle and DR.. William Car
roll. John w. Golf, former Supreme
Court Justice, of New York, was named
as chairman of the committee. which
may make the trip overseas.
A striking feature of the meeting YES.
terday was the presence of Cardinal
Gibbons. primate of the Catholic Church
In the United States; Rabbi .Joseph
Krauskopf, of Temple Keneseth Israel
and many others of various denomina.
tions who had gathered, Irrespective of
religious convictions. to give voice to
their belief that Ireland must be freed.
A great outburst of applause greeted
the introduction Of Cardinal Gibbons by
Judge Cohalan, chairman Of the conven-
ton. The prelate said:
You do not expect a speech from me.
Ny advanced years and consequent in
firmities render me incapable OF making
such an effort.
II hold in my hands a resolution on
behalf Of Ireland's freedom, which will
appeal, l hope, to every lover OF liberty
and justice.
IreIand's Ambitions
M friends fhera q. ,ihart,, ;n III. .ir
The nations of the earth are clamorina
for liberty. And why should not freedom
loving Ireland join in the general cry.
Yes, Ireland wants freedom to breathe
the air OF heaven. She wants freedom
to stretch her brawny and sinewy arms.
She wants freedom to develop her rs.
sources. She wants freedom to develop
the riches Of her soul. She wants free
dom to carve out her own destiny.
America IL the friend and champion
of liberty. She fought this war to make
the idea Of national liberty triumph in
the world. Liberty Is a necessary part
Of Justice 1t Is not a favor or a privi-
lege. Nations as we'll as individuals
have a right to liberty. Ireland's right
to liberty is as clear as sunlight. Every
American who Is sincerely attached to
the principles of his country should be a
friend Of Irish freedom. Just as in the
war we took the side of Belgium and
France and England, because It was the
side Of liberty and Justice. SO for the
very same reason should we now take
the side of Ireland. All Americans
should stand as n man for Ireland's
inalienable right Of self-determination.
And therefore we are today to plead
the cause of Ireland's sons and daugh-
ters that they may stand erect. re-
deemed, regenerated and disenthralled