The Washington times., 1920-05-23
COLBY PUTS IRISH
SNARL Up TO G. 0.P.
Secretary Of State Says No
Diplomatic Reasons Prevent
Erin's Recognition.

The Administration put squarely
up TO the Republican majority In
Congress yesterday the question or
acting on the Mason resolutions look
ing TO recognition or the Irish repub-
lie.
Secretary of State Colby. In a let
ter to Chairman Porter. of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee declared
there were no diplomatic reasons why
the committee should not take amy
action which Is dictated by good
judgment and which IL may feel con-
scientiously impelled to take"
The Secretary's letter WAS written
in reply TO a request from Chairman
Porter for the State Departments
advice as to what the committee
should do. Mr.. Colby was asked, II
possible. to appear personally before
the committee In executive session.
Important business prevented him
>rom accepting this invitation.
Compelled to Read Message.
Mr.. Porter at first declined to read
the Secretary's communication to the
committee, according to Congress
man Flood, OF Virginia, ranking
Democratic member, but finally read
IL upon the insistence OF the sup
porters OF the resolutions.
A majority OF the Republicans on
the committee then forced an adjourn
ment without action until next Thurs
day, although Mr.. Flood and other ad-
vocates OF the Legislation insisted that
they remain In session until the reso--
lutions were disposed OF. favorably
or unfavorably.
Congressman Rogers, Republican OF
~ ~
mittee adjourn until Monday, and
Congressman Dickinson, Republican.
OF Iowa. moved to substitute Thurs
day for Monday. which was done by
vote of Is to 7. one member OF the
committee being absent at the time
abe vote was taken.
In a statement commenting on the
developments today. Daniel T. O'Con-
nell, on behalf OF the Friends OF Irish
Freedom, declared that Secretary Col
by's letter disposes OF the excuse that
the Administration is opposed to leg
islation favorable to Ireland, and
leaves to Congress a free rein for
such action as may be voted.
No Diplomatic Objections.
Congressman Flood concurred in the
view Of Mr.. O'Connell that the view
expressed BY the Secretary OF State
had left sit open from the standpoint
of the Department of State for the
committee to take up the Irish resolu-
tons"
In his letter to Chairman Porter,
Secretary Colby said, in part:
"It seems hardly proper for me to
attempt to guide the action Of your
committee by an expression OF opin-
ion of legislation which is at this
stage.
II am certain that ! should not
venture to do so or to influence you,
either in my reply to your letter or by
personal appearance before your
committee, were | in a position this
morning to accept your invitation to
the meeting Of your committee. The
department is in receipt of importa mt
dispatches which require my instant
attention. and 1 am regretfully oblig-
ed to ask the indulgence Of your COM
mittee in not attending it's session,
which 1t would give me great pleas
ure to do.
81 may say this. however. in my
reply to your inquiry Of a day or
| two ago, that there are no facts in
connection with our foreign rela-
lions which should deter your CONS
mittee from any action which is die
| tated by good Judgment and which 1t
may feel conscientiously impelled TO
| take"