Evening star., 1920-01-22
NO 0R0WDY|SM At
ULSTER MEETING
Correction of The Stars Re-
port of the New York Ave-
nue. Church Gathering.
To the Editor Of The Star:

! 10 the Editor OF The star:
| BY direction of the Padraic II.
! Pearse branch of the Friends Of Irish
Freedom. Washington. d. c., l wish to
call your attention to an article which
appeared in The Star of January IA.
1920. entitled Ulster Delegates At
tack Motives of Sim Feiners."
I Arriving too late. | was unable to
obtain admission to the New York
Avenue Presbyterian Church on the
evening of January 13. 1920. when
some citizens of Washington were ad-
dressed by two ministers in OppoSi-
tlon to the cause of Irish indepen-
dence. | remained on the outside an
interested observer of all that trans
pired in the lower church. from to
o clock. My surprise was indeed great
when ! read in your account of the
meeting the following paragraphs
while the meeting in the audi
torium proceeded without untoward
| incident, attempts to disconcert the
speakers were made by their oppon-
entS, who were scattered through the
overflow meeting. Two persons were
eJected from the building by the po-
lice. Outside the crowd shouted and
Jeered at the remarks of the speakers
some of the rowdies raising the win
dows. The special detail of police,
iAO " cNti SOOu put dl cru " SuCn tdC-
tics. and the crowd was dispersed"
The first part of this paragraph is
rot justified by the facts and circum-
stances. 1t is true man was re
moved. l could see, but not hear
careful inquiry among many persons
who We're inside convinceS me that
this action was unwarranted in view
OF the circumstances. The same can
/ be said OF the other man who was re-
moved although | did not see that
episode. 1t is quite evident to me-
after careful investigation that
opportunity was sought to lend color
10 the inSinuation that serious inter
ruption by our people took place with
view of hindering the speakers from
presenting. their case.
AS to the latter part of your arti-
Gle. | am in a position to say it is
absolutely not correct. / was present
and saw all on the outside up TO 9
o clock. and from that time on l have
reliable information as to what hap
pened. There were no "rowdieS
among us; no one shouted and jeered
at the remarks of the speakers: no
rowdies" raised any windows. and
special detail of police" did not in
terfere in any way. shape or form. for
there was no necessity, and the crowd
was not dispersed. Besides Mrs.
Downing and myself in this crowd of
rowdies. there was prominent
banker and his wife. and a number
of the best people in Washington
whom | know. and all had the ap-
pearance of reSpecta bility.
Your report has done us inca leu
able harm. and we therefore ask. in Il
spirit of fair play. that you publish
this reply.
| might add that President De Valera
has admoniShed every true lover of
Ireland and freedom. who may attend
these attacks on US. TO refrain from
any the slightest interruption. as
even the most trifiing pretext will be
sought TO give the impression to the
American public that we wish to sup
press what these men have to saw:
whereas the direct opposite is the
truth, as witness our invitation to
meet them in joint debate. which has
not been accepted.