Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14
IRISH QUESTION
MUCH DISCUSSED
IN committee
Diplomatic Recognition Of Re.
public Argued Pro and Con
Before Congressional
Committee.

Washington, Dec. 12.-Arguments
for and against diplomatic recog-
milton Of the Irish republic were
continued today before the house
foreign affairs committee which i.
considering a bill to appropriate
funds to send diplomatic and con-
sular representatives accredited to
the republican government.
Headed by Justice Daniel F. Co.
haian, of the New York supreme
court, representative of various
Irish organizations in this country
told the committee that such a rec
ognitlon not only would follow out
the self determination pledges of
President Wilson, but would stabi-
lie the struggling republic and
convince Great Britain that her
domination in Ireland must be sur
rendered. In closing the argument
for the bill, Bourke Cochran, New
York, declared conditions in Ire
land Infinitely worse" than they
were in Cuba, when the United
States interviewed there.
Fox Opposes Bill.
The only speaker opposing the
bill was George /. Fox, Of New
Haven, Conn, who continued the
speech he began yesterday in gen.
eral denial that the republican gov
eminent was functioning sufficiently
to deserve recognition. He asserted
that the movement did not have the
united support claimed for it in Ire
land, and that many stories of mis-
treatment of the Irish by their gov
eminent were myths.
A big crowd again was attracted
by the hearing and although the
session was not so tumultuous as
yesterday there were frequent bursts
OF applause.
"If any member Of this commit
tee" said Mr.. Cochran, in his clos
inc argument, were TO make in
Ireland Fourth of July speech adj
vocating the principles of the Decla-
ration Of Independence, you would
be put in jail. Although it is coun-
t.y freer of crime than any other in
the world, there are more people in
iai. than anywhere else and the
crimes with which they are charged
sre the very things you celebrate
as virtues"
Age Old Situation. -
Thi. situation has existed in Ire
land, the speaker said, since the
Norman conquest 1t was evident,
he added, shat England can never
govern Ireland in any other way"
Asked il he favored war in case
England took offense at passage OF
the bill, Mr.. Cochran said his reply
was that Of Lincoln before the civil
war when he said, LET us not be
frightened by threats of danger to
our country and dungeons for our
selves"
"rhat is the answer" said Cock
ran, "to a. question OF what may
follow an act of justice by the Amer
lean people"
Mr.. Cochran said diplomatic rec
ognition would be most tormid-
able step towards Irish freedom"
Arguing that congress had prece-
dents for such action, he cited the
policy of the United States towards
Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philip
pines, and asserted that Sim Fem
courts were functioning in all parts
of Ireland, except Belfast and Dub
lin.
THE only trouble is when the
police try to stop these courts, as
in Belfast and Dublin" he said.
1.-THE Sim Fein courts yield justice
and the whole population is yield
ing to these courts"
'The Irish race cannot be exter-
minated. That was tried tor three
centuries and failed. If-:it cannot
be exterminatcd, then the Irish race
must be emancipated."
THE entry Of the United States
into the world war raised the strug-
gle to the plane of great crusade
for Justice to all" Mr.. Cochran said.
urging that recognition of Ireland
would be notice to the world that
this country was continuing that
pledge. 8
No action was taken by the COM
mittee which adjourned with the
announcement that the legislation
would be taken under advisement.
Eugene Z. Kincaid, former rep
resentative from New Jersey. denied
that the Pennsylvania branch of the
American Legion had taken stand
against the Irish republic