New Britain herald., 1919-05-17
PRIEST DEfOUNCES
 MEETING OF IRISH
Father FlanDery DiSapproVes Of Fl. F. Gathering Here Tomorrow EXPLAINS HIS REASONS
Declares it is Called Because Some one Wants a Stake" and Will Con- sidcr it His Duty to Expose "F'al>irs and GraftCrs' in This State.

sidcr it His Duty to Expose ''Eal>irs
 and Graftcrs" in This State.
 Rev. Edward A. Flannery, one of the most widely known priests in the Connecticut diocese does not approve of the mass meeting to be held in this city tomorrow under the auspices of the Friends of Irish Free dom. He has explained his attitude in letter to John F. Leeney of this city, state president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and intimates that the mass meeting has been called because someone wants a stake'
 In one paragraph of his letter to MT. Leeney, Father F1annery has the following to say concerning the meet ing: Tt may have the endorsement of those who are out for revenue only. But l have written Judge Cohalan today to say that if the fakirs and grafters are permitted to ply thelr trade in this state it will be my duty to denounce them in the intav- ests of real Irish independence" The Judge Cohalan referred to is a jus tlce of the supreme court in New I ork. He was a member of the Irish American delegation that attempted lo secure an interview with President Wilson previous to the presidents re- l turn to Paris President Wilson de- clined to meet the delegation so long Us Judge Cohalan was connected with 1t. The judge withdrew and the committee secured it's interview It Is alleged that Judge Cohalan's name was mentioned in some of the cor respondence of former German Am bassador von Bernstorff which was seized by federal agents.
 Father Flannery spoke at the last meeting of the Friends of Irish Free dom held at Fox's theater in this city. Another speaker on the pro- gram was General Liam Mellowes an Irish patriot who fled to this coun- try after the famous Easter week rebellion in Ireland. Mellowes is also slated to speak here tomorrow.
 Priests Letter.
 Father Flannery's letter follows:
 Waterbury, Conn.,,
 May 15, 1919. Dear John:
 In answer to your inquiry whether l am to attend the Friends pf Irish Freedom meeting in New Britain Sunday, permit me to say that I am not.
 First of all, have not been irvit- ed; secondly, l think it is a spite meeting agoinst you; thirdly, l feel that someone wants to make a stake and on that account a collection is needed.
 Tt is superfiuous, John, for me to tell you that the noble and almost miraculous sentiment that has been Tric ing turned by certain conniving per- sons to their ow selfish advantage am not politician, and not knowing the game cannot discern what may be occurring to twist this great uprising for Ireland to individual profit. Let me say that of all the Catholic editors In the country, I was one of the three that supported President Wilson in the last campaign; but, if he were nominated tomorrow, 1 would be one, if l stood alone, to oppose him, most Iy because of his stand on the Irish question. This notwithstanding I have strenuously opposed any effort to turn the Friends of Irish Freedom into a political agency to defeat the suggestions of our chief executive.
 Tt has seemed to me, though I may be mistaken, that certain spokes- men of the cause are more interested In discrediting democracy than in promoting Irish independence. There Is a gentleman in New Haven who, by the way, usually speaks for a price, and the lady, formerly from New Lon don, who has a political position, gained by Hibernian connection, to preserve, that pretend to voice the sentiments of the Irish of the state.
 'Twenty-four years ago I saved the paper edited by the gentleman from khe public denunciation of Bishop Tierney; as for the lady, it was not known until very recently that she nven belonged to the Catholic church.
 "So as to next Sundays meeting, I feel that Father Fitzgerald has been betrayed into false position. It may have the endorsement of those who are out for revenue only. But l have written Judge Cohalan today to say that if the fakirs and grafters are permitted to ply their trade in this