The Irish standard., 1920-02-14
English Rule in
Ireland Denounced
BY Senator Reed Of Missouri-The
Navy controversy-De Valera Ex-
plains About Irish Bonds-Enforce-
ment Of Prohibition Difficult.

Catholic Press AssOciatiOn.)
Washington, Feb. 9.-Senator Reed,
If Missouri, chief antagonist of the
League of Nations among the Demo
:rats of the Senate, boldly denounced
he Irish policy of Great Britain at
meeting last week, at which a seven
lay campaign for the sale of Irish
bond certificates was launched in the
Capital.
Representative Sherwood, of Ohio,
another of the speakers, extolled the
irish race; and Eamon de Valera ex-
planned what has already been accom-
,lished in the way of setting up an
Independent government in Ireland.
Rosa F. Bowling, who presided at
he meeting, announced that Washing
on has already subscribed $4,000
owards its quota.
Senator Reeds Speech.
Senator Reed began by reviewing
he centuries old struggle for freedom
n Ireland and assailed the peace
reaty and League of Nations. Never
give your consent to a compact" he
aid, chat will bind the United States
to go to the aid of Great Britain the
first time anybody sends a boatload
of ammunition to Ireland. I am not
suggesting that, and hope it will
never happen. think it would be
most unfortunate for the Irish cause.
But if at any time Ireland should rise
up and strike for liberty don't want
American soldiers to prevent anybody
from going to help Ireland"
| Senator Reed asserted that England
has treated Ireland as the Turk
treated the people of Armenia.
"England's treatment of Ireland" !"
he said, "has been of stupidity that
a cattle raiser would not have in
dulged in. For who, ever heard of a
man making money on cattle by starv-
ing them? It has been stupidity a
prison keeper would not have followed.
For who ever heard Of jailer making
rules which would lead men to prefer
death to further Imprisonment?
II do not know whether in my time
or yours Ireland will get her freedom, %
the Senator continued, "but do know
you never will get anything from
Great Britain except by fighting for it..
don't mean necessarily with arms,
but as you are fighting tonight. Fight
ing with an appeal to the conscience
Of the world. Fighting with an ap-
peal to the hearts of the British peo-
pie themselves. l believe their hearts
are human. It is the British Govern
ment that has fought.
| "How much wiser it would have
been for England at the beginning of
the war to have said to Ireland: We
give you this and trust to your honor
to stand by us in this fight"
De Valera Explains.
A very general misconception that
the Irish Republic is proposing to
issue bonds in the United States was
cleared away by Mr.. De Valera who
explained that the republic is not
issuing bonds but is seeking contribu.
tions in this country from the Ameri-
can friends of Ireland and is giving
for them bond certificates. These are
non-negotiable and represent merely
the pledge of the Irish people to reim-
burse their benefactors when their
government has been established on
a sound basis.
Mr.. De Valera said that one of the
primary aims of the Irish republic
was to establish direct trading with
the United States. England, he said,
has tried by every means to prevent
Ireland's trading with the world.
Il will tell you the two real reasons
why England does not want to release
her hold on Ireland" Mr.. De Valera
went on. First, because she wants
to continue to make Ireland a COM
mercial monopoly, debating the prices
at which she buys and sells in Ireland.
Second, to make Ireland a point of
attack on ships passing those shores
in time of need.
If you can get American goods to
Ireland" he said, "they will be there
On more than equal terms with Brit
ish goods, because the Irish do not
want British goods and are in SYM
pathy with America"
Mr.. De Valera warned the 1rishmen
in this country not to believe the re-
ports that the local government which
the people Of Ireland set up is not
functioning.