The Washington herald., 1920-10-28
ASK SEC. COLBY
TO RECOGNIZE
IRISH REPUBLIC
Eloquent Appeal Made at
State Department by
Committee.
DECISION IS RESERVED
Speakers Cite Precedents
To Show U. S. Has Helped
Struggling Peoples.
DECISION IS RESERVED

Eloquent appeals for recognition
of the Irish republic by the United
States were made to Secretary of
State Colby last night by a COM
mittee of prominent leaders in the
Irish cause, who met the Secretary
by invitation at the State Depart
ment.
The petition presented by the
committee also asks that the Amer
lean Ambassador at the Court of
st. James be instructed to protest
to the British government against
the atrocities perpetrated in Ireland
by British military rule upon inno-
cent men. women and children"
Secretary Colby, after hearing the
appeal. thanked the members of
the committee for theiS statement,
but gave no intimaSon as to
whether or not any action by this
government would be taken.
Precedents Cited.
The speakers cited precedents
from the messages and documents
of Presidents and Secretaries OF
State from the time of Washington
and Jefferson to show that the
United Statecs has always stood for
the recognition of small nationali-
ties in their struggles for freedom
They quoted also from the addresses
of President Wilson himself to the
effect that all the traditions of the
government were in support of this
principle.
Frank P. Walsh, chairman of the
American Commission on Irish Free
dom, who was the principal speaker
declared with much vehemence that
IF the back OF the present govern
ment of the United States is turned
upon US, il will be the first time
since the DAYS of Jefferson, aye
since the days of Washington, that
this has been done. All that we
have gained from our proud position
among the nations of the world will
be lost IL we turn OWN this appea'
from the downtrodken people oi
,Ireland,"
MI. " dlSn lneTf arr
only two stable governments in tht
world today. the United States anC
the Irish republic. which, he as,
of the people of Ireland. who are
ready to lay down their lives tC
preserve the same ideals of free
dom that made this nation great.
MncSwiney Called Martyr.
Touching references were mad,
to the death of Terence MacSwiney
who, Walsh declared, was a true
martyr" He added that he had as
suranCes that early recognition o.
the republic by this government
would save many thousands of Irish
lives. The only obstacles to th'
restoration of order and prosperit!
in Ireland, he said, are the force:
of tyranny and disorder placed
there by the British government il
the vaian attempt to crush the Irish
people in their struggle for self
government" Ireland has been los
to England. he declared, even th'
"grappling-hook" of which LlOyC
George spoke having lost its hold
Asserting that the demand fol-
recognition was in line with all hrs
lOTlC pTtCeutHlS III THIS government
Mr.. Walsh inquired why the United
States is hesitating.
Appeal Made to Wilson.
Are we partners in the crime >
he asked. rs it because of our feel
ing for England? Our answer
should be that we will not be CO,
operators in this crime. We shoulC
not deny to the Irish what we hav,
accorded to all other republics. W.
should not permit the Irish to b'
kept in chains by our Indifference"
Others on the committee with Mr.
Walsh were Eugene Kincaid, of New
Jersey; Rosa F. Downing, of New
York; Joseph OGarrity, of Phila
-delphia; Joseph X. Mcguire, of New
York; Daniel c. OFlaherty, of Rich
mond, and Joseph F. Daley, o.
Washing ton.
While Secretary Colby was receiv,
ing the delegation a formal reques
for recognition was dispatched tC
President Wilson by Eamon de Va
lera president of the Irish Repubiic