The sun., 1919-05-16
irish AMERICANS
TELLOF MISSION
Erin Now. Almost Unanimous
for Full independence,
They Report.
LITTLE TROUBLE FOUND
Safe Conducts Demanded for
DE Valera and Aids to
Peace Meeting.
~ RAYMOND @. CARROLL.


Special CobIs Despatch TO TIE Sun and tAe
PsoHc LEDGER.
Copyright. 1919: oil richn reserved.
LONDON. May 15.-In company with
Frank p. Walsh and Edward Dunno,
delegates OF the irish American socie-
ties, your correspondent made a rapid
tour yesterday Of the London sluma
As the car sped down Fleet street and
beyond the delegates eonversed Of Ire
land, their visit and their future plans.
I'VE have Just completed the first
stage of our mission" said Mr. Walsh,
"and I am perfectly willing to report
to 100000 of Irish birth in America
on the situation Of 100000 Irish peo-
pie left in the little island as we found
It.
I'VE commissioners are three native
born American lawyers Of Irish paren-
tage. We have spent ten days in Ire
land, travelling upward of 1900 miles
by steam railway, visiting all sections
OF the Emerald Isle.
''Over there we chatted with men Of
all shades Of political opinion and re-
ligion. large property owners, merchants.
manufacturers and leaders of the Irish
labor movement In my opinion Ire
land has a coherent labor movement
which has direct connection with the
Irish republican political movement. To
make sure OF having correct information
we called personally upon Lord Mayors.
members of councils and heads of trades
councils in every city.
I'm ireland we met with an enthusiast
tic and kindly reception and saw no
sign of disturbance or expression or any
disorder anywhere. In fact. we OBJ
served no evidence Of force or violence
except upon two occasions when British
troops appeared in the Mansion House
Square, Dublin. and later on the out
cestors came from the latter place and
I was unable to get In to look at their
graves. I might mention that prac-
tically every one we met in Ireland had
some connection with a brother, cousin
or son in the United States and much
talk resulted concerning these relatives"
object Of Mission.
Here Mr. Dunno spoke up:
There seems TO be an idea that we
came across the Atlantic to stir up strife
In Ireland. We did nothing OF the kind.
We came to insist upon the safe passage
to France Of duly elected representatives
OF the Irish people to present the case
OF Ireland to the Peace Conference.
John O'Kelly and George Guffin DUFFY.
advance agent Of the Irish government.
are already in Paris. We want safe con-
ducts across the English Channel for
President de Valera. Count George
Piunkett and Arthur Griffith"
The slums of London were not as
drab as we expected. for Mr.. Walsh re-
| marked:
Now over in Dublin there are prob
ably the worst slums In the world.
visited them. Conditions are terrible"
Mr. Dunno remarked: IT was more
struck with Galway falling to pieces
from natural decay and grass growing
on the street, all due to the decline OF
shipping 1t is worse than any shell
riddled town in northern France" Mr..
Walsh squared himself upon the rear
seat and continued on the main theme
OF conversation.
"If the fact should be-" he said. shat
ireland Is in actual physical captivity
We have been instructed by the Irish
race convention OF America to ourselves
appear before the Peace Conference II
possible and act as substitute for the ex-
listing Irish Government to urge recogni-
ton of the Irish Republic and secure
Justice. Before we left Paris we had
assurances there would be no objection
to the appearance there OF President de
Valera and his associates. We know OF
no change in the attitude OF Premier
Lloyd George, of whom we asked no
special favors.
Split tn Ireland.
I'VE return to Paris armed with full
authority as counsel for the Jrish Ra.
public and Will call upon Colonel House