The Irish standard., 1919-02-01

Feb a. Tuesday-St. Andrew Corsin.
Feb. 5, Wednesday-St. Agatha.
Feb. 6, Thursday-St. Theophilus.
Feb 7 Fridav-St Romuald.
TECHNICAL1T1ES MAY BE USED TO BAR
IRELAND FROM PEACE CONFERENCE.
1t has become apparent that attempt will be
made by the British representatives at the Peace
Conference to deprive Ireland of the right of har-
ing of her claims before that great international tr
bunal This is indicated in the preliminary outline
of the program of procedure wherein there is made
distinction between ustifiable and non usti6able
questions submitted for adjudication. Each of the
five great powers WILL it is proposed have the abso
lutte right to decide i'll any particular instance in
which it is concerned belongs to the former or to the
latter class of issues If the delegates of any OF
these governments decides that an issue introduced
for consideration and adjustment, is non-justi-
able one, such an issue may be barred from hear
ing of the general conference.
1t may be said in. defense OF such rule that it
grows out of the necessities of the situation for
otherwise the conference would be flooded and over
whelmed with a tide OF grievances, real or imagin-
AIRY, emanating from every part of. the world and
involving every nation under the sun. And yet ii
a rigid application of it made, there would be
denial of jurisdiction and remedial treatment OF
some of the most important and dangerous prob
lens whose solution is requisite for the future peace
of mankind
1t is quite within the range of probability that in
the of Ireland, under such rule the four Brit
ish delegates all of whom are hostile to Irish nation
atty would decide that the Irish question is non
justfable, that it is purely and simply domestic
quarrel which the British authorities reserve the
, right to settle in their way and at their own
time. The case of the appeal of the Irish nation,
IT this view were sustained in the general confer
ence would be thus barred of a hearing on the tech
nical ground of the rule adopted. The merits of tho
case would not be heard given to the forum of
the world. Doubtless this is the anticipation and
purpose of Lloyd George and his associates of the
British delegation. Knowing the strength and SOL
ifv nf tl1ac ri Tra1n p1,c
tory and precedent they would be glad to escape
the difficult task of answering them their merits
and would resort to pettifogging legal tactics to
prevent the opening of the debate.
This may be sharp legal practice, but it is not
craftsmanship of the kind that the world situation
demands President Wilson has we'll intirnated
that it is not the formal decisions of the conference
that are to be depended upon in their appeal the
support OF humanity, but rather the good faith and
sincerity of the representatives of the nations assem-
bled to, formulate them. The DEGREES, findings
orders and judgments of the great tribunal must be
based on the fundamental principles of justice and
and approval of mankind without which they NAV
become nullity, like those of the Hague Confer
ence.
1t will not do to shelf the Irish question in this
pertunctory kind of procedure. 1t is large enough
and important enough in the eyes of the world to
demand attention on it's merits The people of Ire
land have spoken in uncertain voice at the last
general election. They have elected their parli-
mentary representatives body of y men, compris-
ing nearly three-fourths of the entire number OF
seats, who pledged in advance not to sit in
British parliament but in an Irish Surely this
is clear and convincing self-determnation and
proclamation of the sovereignty under which they
desire to live. Shall they be coerced then to live
under an alien sovereignty? If 50 then the four
teen points of President Wilson, which have been
accepted in substance the basis of peace and the
future regulation of the affairs of the world would
be treated nulity-vox ct praterea nihil
What is Ireland and the Sim Fein party which
must the burden of leading the nation
doing to meet this phase of the stuationo 1t be-
the duty of all the friends of the old land to
ego along" the policies that have been so. en-
phaticay Endorsed at the recent polling All should
bear hand that British intrigue, chcanery and
special pleading may not bar the door of liberty to
ireland while the other oppressed nations are being
restored to their historic and racial rights. 1t is
time for careful study and analysis of the matter
SO that it may be presented worthily and fully at
the world tribunal 1t is time for taking counsel
In multitude Of counsel, says the adage, there is
safety 1reland's should be made ready both
on the merits of her cause
=. 1t is said that the Russian soviet leaders have
objected to the place designated by the Allied Pow
ers for conference-Prince's Islands, which is a.
summer resort in the Sea of Marmora near Constan-
tinople with good bathing facilities Is it because
the Bolshevist intelectuals" are not quite sure of
the effect dip in the salt water may have upon
their ideas of things in general? few good punges
into the surf might have the effect of setting up
counterrevolution i'll the systems of these difdent
statesmen.