The sun., 1919-06-24
IRISH president"
Is WILDLY GREETED


hf1ed nt1 taH torm ana pzte ha4vffy n1eu
facs Of Lfncolntilss rugy.dnssst his
speech betrayed or rather revealed him
immediately a. an Irfshr1an, for 70 was
perIneated with an unnfiscal,a0ts hrusue.
He stood m the csnere q me roor1-
easily the tziiese In the throng. watch
dfd not lack tall men Although hts
hair 10 still black. his linsd face and
serious oppression n7ads HIM appear
more than his 81 years Although gem
orally serious IN expression ~ sfowsd In
bis conversation and manner that he
appreciated the humor Of the situation,
the abrupt Jack IN The boz appearance
Of a man duly elected presfdsnt Of re-
public unrecognfzsd by any country. IN
The country IN which he himself was
ocrn- For New York ID tire native city
Of Prof. De Valera and he can claim
only half irish blood, for his father was
4 Spanish American.
After being introduced By Justice Co
haian TO his attentive audience he
plunged abruptly with entire seif-posses-
sion into the subject at hand
7 am sorry. gentleman. That cpuld
not see you before. for oeIisvs ycu
have felt sonasvhat hurt at not being
able TO hnd me-" he said. That 10 not,
OF course. your fault, for I have been
living fnccgntto. a. It wsre1 while visit
ing personal friends. And have been
very busy"
Although Prof de Valera dtd rot
spectfy the nature or place Of his bust
nesA, Mr.. Boland. his secretary. admitted
Later THAI ths Irish leader bad been IN
Washington. where he had interviewed
\ number" Of Senator's; IN Baltimore.
where he had talked TO Cardinal Grb-
bons: In Philadelphia. where he had con-
ferrsd with DR.. NcCsrtan. his aznhassA-
dor here and local Sim Fem sympa-
thizers: In Rochester. WHARF he had seen
lis mother. and In Boston. where he had
uied TO arrange q meeting with Cardinal
CConneIl
Dees Not Expect e. .. AsA.
Prof De Valera was perfectly frank
IN explaining why he had arranged a
meeting with the Newspaper representa-
tfves in Tits country Immediately upon
his pubic II not actual entrznce into the
country At the same time ne revealed
what seemed 10 indicate that he did not
look for immediate support OF the irish
Republic by the Goverrment OF the
United States
TT 70 TO the press rather than 70
Statesman and diplomats that we, tia
common people. must look IL we wish TO
save democracy" he said Il am sure
the press Of America will do its share in
this great work. One Of my principal
objects in coming here was that might
speak as I want to speak and not az
English propaganda has often had me
speak 10 the people Of thls country"
He then read q long prepared state
ment setting forth thu damage British
rule has done TO Ireland. the aid now
sought by ireland from America. as
America sought aid during tho Revoi,l-
ton from Francs. II was IN the read
ing Of this statement that he revealed
70 the. watching rather than iIsteninz.
assembly his own bitter enrnfty FOR Eng
Land. and pride and hope in the future
Of Ireland.
Searching the faces Of those about
him TO note the effect he read IL slowly
and with great emphasis There was
no passion IN his voice, but . deadly
seriousness. which was equally effective
His voice was strong and frrn. although
somewhat lacking in the resonance and
nexibiiity which marks Tire finished
orator. Obviously the Irish leader was
more thinker and pianner than an
orator. as bis profession before he be-
came '-prssidsnt." that Of professor of
Mathematics. would indicate.
As he spoke tho thinnoss Of his faos.
with its high cheek bones. Aaviiins ness
and sharp chin. was aecsntuated His
conservative lines. his dark blue necktie
over white shirt. and black shoes all In
dicatsd that his immunity from recogpi-
ton In this country was due 70 ne fact
that he ressmbIed in outward appear
anee. despite his unusual features, an
average American OF the upper middle
class.
Answers Qsestfsns.
Following the reading Of his prepared
statement he submitted with good hunor
once more to the questions which were
fred at him from ali sides. questions
concerning himself and his adventures
rather than the Irish Republic.
Are you stili an American citi1an -
he was asked by one scribe. mindful of
the fact that he had never bseome q
British citizen.
I'm an Irish citizen" he answered.
Did you forswear allegiance TO the
United States In Irelandr'
by fighting as an Irish soldier IN the !
army Of the Irish Republic automat- |
icslly became a citizen OF the Irish Re |
public" he explained.
The ARhtinR ha referred 60 was dnr4n1