New-York tribune., 1920-11-27
U. S. May Deny
Passports for
Irish Inquiry
Unofficial American Commits
sioners Must Define Pur-
pose of Visit to Erin Be-
fore Colby WillMake Move
Maurer HasBeenRebuffed
State Department Ernbar-
rassed by Attack on British
Flag by Crowd in 5th Ave.

From, The Tribunc's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Nov. 26.-Passports
for members of the unofficial American
commission to visit Ireland and Eng
land to investigate the Irish situation,
named by the American Commission
on Conditions in Ireland. may be re-
fused by the State Department, it was
strongly intimated to-day in responsible
circles. Applications of several mem
bers of the proposed commission are
now before the passport bureau of the
State Department for issuance, but
thus far none has been authorized by
Secretary Colby.
1t was said nt the department that
the issuance of passports for the
American investigators would depend
on the purpose of their visit to the
British Isles"
The members of the commission in
clude Major Oliver P Newman, for
merly District Commissioner of Wash
ington; the Rev. Norman Thomas, pub
Usher of The World Tomorrow, of
New York City; James H. Maurer,
President Of the Pennsylvania State
Federation of Labor, and known as a
Socialist leader; Arthur Gleason. a
New York writer. and Dean Robert
Morse Lovett, of Chicago University.
One Maurer Passport Revoked
Special scrutiny of the application
of MIR. Maurer is to be given by the
State Department because Of the fact
that about year ago a passport is
sued to him for visiting England aud
European count es to make survey
of labor conditi rs was revoked lust
before his contemplated departure.
While the State Department has
vigorously opposed taking any action
that might be interpreted as offending
either the Irish sympathizers in this
country or the British government, it
was strongly indicated to-day that the
attitude of certain Sim Fein adherents
in this country was making most diff
flcult the "hands off" policy Of the
State Department.
The rioting by Irish sympathzers
yesterday before the Union Club in
New York City, where efforts we're
made to remove the British colors
flying alongside ensIgns of the United
States and France, was referred to by
State Department officials to-day as a
most regrettable incident and one
which may call for an official express
SION OF regret TO the British Embassy
here. In this connection, however. It
was sad that the visit to-day TO the
department by Sir Auckland Geddes,
the British Ambassador, had 10 con-
nection with the New YORK incident.
1t was considered significant, how
ever that Ambassador Geddes has been
at the State Department on two pre-
Vlous occasions this week and held
lengthy conferences with Secretary Of
State Colby. The subjects discussed at
these meetings., of course, were not dis
closed
An official expression of regret was
dispatched to the British Embassy
here carly this year by the State De
partment when Irish sympathizers
burned British flag on the steps of
the Treasury Building, although no
protest had been laid before ,he de-
partment by the embassy In that in
clCent the position was taken by the
department that the insult occurred on
American government property
L. S. Quick to Apologize
Violation Of the American colors in
foreign countries, which also has oc-
Cured, brought forth speedy apologies
from those governments, and the pol
| icy has been adhered to by this gov