The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-11-17
PROBE ASKED
BY De VALERA
Irish President, in Speech, Says
He Welcomes American Com
mission Hearings.

Declaring Irish patriots welcome
the inquiry by the American commits
sion which began the hearings OF
witnesses on both sides Of the Irish
question at the Hotel Lafayette to-
day. Eamonn de Valera, president OF
the Irish Republic, addressed more
than 5000 sympathizers with Erins
cause at the coliseum In Center Mar
ket, Ninth street and Pennsylvania
avenue, last night.
THnONG STANDS IN RAIN.
Because OF the f,re regulations only
1000 persons were admitted TO the
hall. but more than 1000 stood in the
rain to hear the speakers, who also
addressed them from a balcony OF the
building.
The demonstration, which was one
OF the most remarkable that has been
seen In the National Capital, was
preceded by a parade in which more
than 5000 persons participated. This
parade was the tenth Of the seventy
two scheduled by the local Irish SYM
pathizers az a tribute TO Lord Mayor
McSwiney, Of Cork. and in protest OF
Americas silence on the Irish ques-
ton.
Besides President De Valera, the
speakers last night were Mrs. Pethick'
Lawrence. noted English suffrage
leader: Senator Joseph ]. France Of
Maryland; the Rev. Father Forrest.
Of Sydney, Australia. and Rosa +.
Downing. Of Washington.
COLLECT $1,000 FUND.
At the conclusion OF the speak ing,
Andrew ]. Hickey, OF the local COM
mttee in charge OF the demonstra-
ton. asked for contributions to de-
fray expenses OF the campaign for
Irish freedom. More than $4,000 then
was collected by nifty girls who
passed through the audience.
President de Valera was accorded
five-minute ovation when he arose to
speak. He reviewed British rule in
Ireland at length, and asserted that
the very British leaders who express
ed most concern over German atroci-
ties in Belgium I'm 1914 now are
sanctioning outrages in Ireland
worse than any Gem ever commit
ted.
ANY government who recognizes
the government OF England in Ire
land is condoninS the acts OF Eng
land" he said. 1.-The United states
Government recognized Poland and
Czecho-Slovakia because/their peoples
wanted their independence. Why Is
1t that love of liberty Is a virtue in
other people and a crime in the
Irish?
WELCOME INVESTIGATION.
We are not afraid for the world to
know what goes ON In Ireland. IL
England would withdraw her army In
ireland, We would have ne more DIFF
fieulty In handling the minority In
ireland than you In the United
States have in handling yours. The
minority In Ireland arc now support
ed by bay0nets and rifles OF British
soldiers.
''rhe Irish are not aEgressors. They
don't hate English, but they hate an
invader, and rs long as red blood
flows In an lrtshnan. so long will
that Irishnan strive to drive the in
vader from his SOIL"
I'm the name Of the British people,
1 protest with all my heart and soul
against the deeds being done in Ire
land by my country" were the open
ing words of Mrs. Pethick-Lawrence.
But these deeds are not being
done with my countrymen's consent"
she added. "Four-fifths Of the Brit
ish people are in sympathy with Ire
land.
TRIBUTE TO McswINEY.
81 want to pay tribute to that noble
Irishman, Terence McSwiney. When
his body was carried through the
streets of London a greater crowd
turned out to see him than was ever
seen on the streets OF London before.
The Sim Fein flag was carried
through the streets and not one po-
liceman or soldier dared to protest.
"There is no reason why free
England should fear free Ireland.
Peaceful countries are side by side
and they do not fear the invasion of
the others army such as Norway and
Sweden; Spain and Portugal, the
United States and Canada.
81 an speaking n an Englishwons-