The Irish standard., 1920-04-24

Washington, D. c., April'2s.-on the
eve of his invasion of the South, Pres
ident Eamon De Valera was the guest
of honor at dinner given here re.
Gently by the La Fayette Club. Sur
rounded by members of the Senate and
House, dignitaries of various religious
denominations, nationally-known writ:
ers, editors, bankers and lawyers, the
President spoke with appreciation of
the cordial welcome given him in
every part of the Union as the repre-
sentative of Irish democracy. The
gathering, prominently representative
of every shade of public opinion and
every phase of public life, was termed
"cross-section of the American peo.
pie" by Bishop Shahan of Catholic
University, in speech compliment.
ing Chairman John e. Milholland, of
New York, on the arrangements.
The long.awaited opportunity to hear
the President came long after mid.
night, after nearly score of speakers
had touched on nearly every possible
aspect of the Republics struggle for
recognition. In clear, incisive fashion
the President outlined the chief fea.
lures of the Irish case, refuted with
the mastery skill of the logician the
stock arguments propounded against
recognition, and then appealed for
speedy action on the part of the Amer.
ican Government in recognizing the
Republic.
Describing the political complexion
of each of 1relands three important
parties, the President declared that
the only real difference between the
Nationalists and Sinn Feiners is in
tactics. Ireland, he said. demands
recognition Of the Republic already
established by the will of the Irish
people. The Nationalists are willing
to take a British dole as step
towards the restoration of Irish SOY.
ereignty. However, IL the Nationalists
today could be afforded an opportu.
nifty of choosing outright between inde.
pendence and the dominion status
within the Empire, they Immediately
would select the former. So, both Sim
Feiner and Nationalist are working
towards the same end. And, should
the world demand plebiscite, ireland
with one voice would proclaim her de.
sire for government free and inde.
pendent of the British Empire. The
President alluded to the prevalence OF
the view among Irish sympathizers in
America that the great mass of the
English people are free from blame for
the oppression Of Ireland. We have
no quarrel with the English people, he
said, but It is idle to assume that the
masses Of England are absolutely FIRE.
sponsible for the continuation OF
British domination over the Irish peo.
pie. II the English people are as much
convinced as they are said to be Of
the Justice of Ireland's case and the
injustice Of their governments posi-.
tion, they have within their hands the
political machinery whereby speedy
change can be effected. As in any
nation where democratic form Of gov.
ernment exists and the heads are
responsive to the will Of the electorate,
the people cannot escape blame for
conditions which they easily can rem
edy by the exercise of the ballot. II
the English people are willing to be
fooled and have their so.called will
thwarted by the ruling classes, then
they must take the blame for the acts
Of those they place in power.
L have heard much, he said, since
coming to America Of the mighty
change to be effected with respect to
England's relations with Ireland when
the Labor party comes into power.
never had-and have not now-any
faith in the willingness Of any wing Of
British opinion to take the absolutely
Just attitude towards Ireland's case.
The President said Ireland was will
ing to enter League Of Nations, fun
damental in which should be the
acceptance of the principles Of self
determination and equality Of rights
for smaller nations. But, he warned,
1t was abortive for any nation to
preach the establishment of League