New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-05-23
Colby Tells Senate Presi.
dent Will Not Oppose
Passage of Resolution
Declaring for Republic
Republicans Charge
Trick to Win Votes
Shift in Policy Declared
To Be Designed to Get
Irish Back Into Party
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON, May 22.-Presi-
dent Wilson told Secretary of State
Colby he has no objection to Con-
gress passing resolution calling on
him to recognize the independence
of Ireland. Mr.. Colby so informed
Democratic members of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee in con-
versation to-day, after writing
very carefully worded letter on the
subject to Chairman Porter of the
committee.
Although they have watched with
political satisfaction the recent efforts
OF President Wilson and the Adminis
tration generally to placa.e the Irish
voters, many of whom virtually walked
out OF the Democratic party on the
peace treaty issue, Democrats in the
House were surprised to learn the
President and Secretary of State were
not opposed to the Irish resolution.
hoping to be given an argument
against any action which would antago-
nlze Great Britain, Chairman Porter
OF the committee wrote to Secretary
Cofhy asking him to appear before the
Foreign Affairs Committee Mr. Colby's
reply in part follows:
"lt seems hardly proper for me to
attempt to guide the action Of your
committee by an expression of
opinion on legislation which is at this
stage.
Refuses to Advise Committee
II am certain that I 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 position this
morning to accept your invitation
TO the meeting of your committee.
The department is in receipt of i'm
portant dispa atches which require my
instant attention, and | am regret
'uty obliged to ask the indulgence
OF Your committee in not attending
Its session, which it would give me
much pleasure to do.
Il may say this, however, in my
reply to your inquiry of a day or two
ago, that there are no facts in con-
necton with our foreign relations
which should deter your committee
from any action which is dictated by
good judgment and which it may feel
consclentiously impelled to take" .
Mr. Colby, in personal conversation
with Democratic member of the COM
mlttee, said he had talked over the
whole situation with the Presidents:
that Mr.. Wilson was thoroughly in
formed as to what was going on and
mat the President had no objection to
congress passing the resolution.
Play for Irish Vote Charged
Most surprising of all to the Demo
Gratis and such Republicans as were
told the story by their colleagues, the
resident is cognlzant also of the
storm Of feeling which has been
aroused in Britain against this coun-
ny as a result of the making public of
ms cable to Admiral Sims, criticizing
the British navy. Republicans in Con-
gress have charged from the day this
.s'egram and the Presidents speech on
,ne Pennsylvania were made public
mat Mr.. Wilson was deliberately seek
Ing the irish vote, regardless of the
pflce paid for It in loss of friendly re-
''I5ons non, with the British people.
faiiure to oppose this resolution is
complete change of front by the Ad-
qn!lhlstratlon on the Irish question. The
republican Senate was condemned
vigorously year ago for adopting a
.e0oiutlon of sympathy for Ireland and
requesting the President to see that
representatives of Ireland were ac-
soided hearing by the peace confer
s'ce' aI' at that time supporters of the
aun!lhlStratlon said the adoption of
sum resolutions might lead to strained
freiauons between this country and
Great Britain.
me attitude of the Administration
w;.t VII t"e resolution of sympathy, coupled
eovm. ,vm the Presidents insistence on this
no';aaihtry entering the league of nations
without reservation. had the effect of
ara..nniihg the great bulk of Irish sym
party e'''N ''''
f'sh Detection Alarms Democrats
e., democratic leaders r1onths ago be-
to ',t .t alarmed at the big drift of Irish
sr;ne ne republican party. They began
H. tne ground work to get back
~ e lost votes. Their first move was
Of present present reservation to the league
,rsata aViohs IN the closing days of the
ton hght last March. The reserva-
nsts renewed the expression of sym
tbs. 70 ireland, expressed the hope
wn,IS she prlnclple of self determination
tba. thu apply as to that country and
wn,',, once 1t was granted freedom it
nst;".De .De admitted to the league of
Ssaons. Although Administration
"a. Vrs supported the resolution it
dsr. ,nought at that time that Presi-
dt AZ wilson considered the reservation
Tnc Tn'ect afront to England.
h, nat .nt studied effort was being made
Tue Administration to win back the
'Centlausd on page slxtsou)