The Irish standard., 1919-05-10
DELEGATES WELCOMED
IN BELFAST, IRELAND

on the objects Of the war and claim.
ing the right of self-determination and
a republican form Of government for
the Irish. They declared the Irish
we're as entitled to those rights as
the Jugo.Slavs. .....-
British Use Bayonets to Disperse
Meeting.
London, May 6.-.British troops
broke up forbidden meeting at Ath-
lone, Ireland, last night by charging
upon the crowd with the bayonet. A
number of persons were wounded and
armored cars have taken possession
of the place. Laurence Ginnell, men,
ber Of parliament for Westmeath, at
tempted to address the meeting.
Dublin and Limerick Plan Receptions.
Dublin, May 6.7-The lord mayor de-
cided to-day to call special meeting
at which prominent citizens and off,
cials will meet the Irish-American dele
cation to the peace conference, con-
sisting of Frank p. Walsh, Edward F.
Dunno and Michael Ryan. On Thurs
day the delegation will go to Limerick
to receive the freedom of the city.
American Visit Excites English.
London, May 6-The visit of repre-
sentatives of American-Irish societies
to Ireland is causing great interest in
Sim Fein circles there and equal in
dignation in unionist quarters in Ire.
land and England. Among the reports
in circulation is one that passports
from Paris to Ireland were granted
the mission at the request Of Presi
dent Wilson. There are also reports
that Premier Lloyd George promised
to receive the delegates of the Ameri-
can-Irish societies and advised them
to visit Belfast. This is regarded as
evidence that Mr. Lloyd George does
not oppose their avowed efforts
toward the creation of an Irish re-
public.
Question Raised in Parliament.
There is considerable mystery about
the whole affair and it is unknown
whether Premier Lloyd George has
been in communication with the visi-
tors at all. There is one report that
The promised to receive them but can
celed the engagement.
A question was addressed to the
government in the house of commons
Monday with view to establishing
whether the ENJOYS are accredited to
the American government and also to
establish their exact status. The
question was met evasively by the
home secretary. While, according to
some dispatches from Ireland, the
Sim Feiners are encouraged and be-
lieve the creation of an Irish republic
is within sight, the unionist press here
is angrily calling for an explanation
from Premier Lloyd George and criti-.
cisihg President Wilson's alleged in
reference in British domestic affairs.
Bitter Comment Made.
IF it is true" says the Post, that
Mr.. Wilson is behind this intrigue
against the union of the United King
dom-and after the presidents be-
havior toward Italy anything is cred
ible-the American ambassador ought
to be told that the United Kingdom
does not tolerate interference in its
domestic affairs. They are our busi-
ness and the business of nobody else.'
The Graphic says: IF any, Of the
states of America were again to de-
mand the right to secede. from the
union, 1t is certain the American peo-
pie would be bitterly indignant II such
q demand received any kind, Of oncial
encouragement from Great Britain.
We apply the same standard Of judg-
ment to American interference in our