The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-07-26
SITUATION IN
IRELAND TOLD
AT MASS MEET
Aledo Council for Reorganization Of
Irish Republic Holds First Of Sc
RIGS of Open Air Meetings.
Especial to The Argus.)

Aledo, July 26.-Father P. J.
Barry Of Kewanee was the speaker
at the First of the series of open
air meetings planned by the newly
organized Theodore Roosevelt coun-
Gil for the Reorganization OF the
Irish republic, which was held last
night at North park in Aledo. A
fair crowd of Aledoans was in at
tendance and a delegation from
Presumption motored over to attend
tine gathering.
Father Barry was introduced by
the d. E. Farr, president OF the
council. Father Barry, who was
born in Ireland, came to the United
States about twelve years ago. AS
soon as it was possible he took out
naturalization papers. About one
year ago he returned to his native
land and spent six months studying
the situation, not only in Ireland
but in England. He was able to
give first hand information concern
ing the viewpoints of both coun-
tres.
In his address, which was force
full and direct, Father Barry told
something of the history of the
Irish people and of the hardships
they had undergone for years IN
their struggle TO obtain freedom.
He explained that if the Irish were
not gwen the chance to govern
their own country, then the great
European struggle, in which thou
Of nf
were lost was in vain, since the
purpose of that war was to make
the world safe for democracy and
to give the small nations a chance
for selfdetermination.
In England" Father Barry stat
ed, the situation is explained as
being similar to the situation in the
United States when the south wish
ed to secede from the union. This
is not true, because of the fact that
Ireland never wished to be part
of England and the fact that she
is now under the control of Eng
land is a matter of politics, not of
choice. The situation is similar TO
that in America at the time of the
Revolutionary war. Ireland is OPP
pressed, just as the colonies were
oppressed and she desires freedom
and the right to her own govern
ment just as much as any people
That the fight for freedom is not
a religious hight was proved by the
fact that many of the men who are
at the head of the Irish republic
are not Catholics, but Protestants.
IF it were a religious fight, then
the Catholics in England would be
in favor of the Ir1sh republic and
they are not"
Father Barry called attention to
the wealth and resources of Ire
land. And the fact that the people
were not allowed to develop their
natural resources because of the
fact that England wanted no COM
petition in selling to the popula-
ton. He also called attention to
the fact that although Ireland had
by far the most superior harbors
they were closed, because England
did not wish competition in her
shipping.
Calling attention to the fact that
the Irish, who were fighting for
liberty and freedom, had been call
ed murderers, Father Barry said if
they were murderers, then Wash
ington and his army Of brave men
who suffered untold hardships that
the United States might be freed,
were murderers, for they were
fighting in the same way and for
the same cause
1t is the plan of the Aledo coun-
Gil to have good speakers who are
we'll informed on the Irish ques-
ton address the public from time
to time during the summer Speak
ers for the next meeting, on Aug. 8,
have not yet been announced. The
public is invited to attend these
meetings.