The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-03-18
THE ENGLISH
LABOR PARTY
AND IRELAND

(By John E. Swan, Member English
Parliament.)
The work of the Labor Party is
to create such collective conscience
in Great Britain that it will be i'm
possible for our rulers to continue
with the oppressive policy in Ire
land; nor withhold from the Irish
people a full measure of justice
and freedom. The present policy is
detestable, and bringing the name
of Britain into reproach through
out the civilized world.
The soulless policy at present
pursued is revolving. Yet in spite
of this detestable policy the will
of the Irish people remains I'M
broken and their courage undaunt-
ed. In face of all this oppression
they are manifesting solidarity
unparalleled in the whole Of her
melancholy history.
Force No Remedy
1t also proves that concord and
harmony will never be obtained in
Ireland by armed forces or the
point of the bayonet. 1t may COW
the craven, servile mind, but such
methods, even with barbed wire and
machine guns, will not crush the
spirit of freedom and justice, or
the liberty loving instincts out of
the Irish people. Law and order in
any country must eternally spring
from liberty founded on the broad
will of the people. We have every
thing to gain from Free Ireland,
but by the Withholding of it, the
whole Empire is menaced and inse-
cure.
The government instead of work
ing to bring about peace, they have
continued to fan the flame of re-
volt by seeking to impose upon the
Irish people a policy which they re-
sented and repudiated.
1t is questionable whether since
the days of Cromwell there has
been such disorder. To keep an
Army of Occupation in Ireland and
talk of beneficent rule over a peo-
pie who resent it reduces govern
ment to a burlesque and proof of
inability to rule. 1t also develops
keener hatred with time. The peo-
pie of Ireland have made their
protest and long felt burning
sense of injustice against England's
unfulfilled pledges and the unjust
Partially in the administration of
the law.
A Nations Right
They inform US that the con-
tention and disorder of Ireland is
due to religion. We do not view
it from that standpoint, but from
the indisputable right of a people
to determine their own form of
government, a right which is price
less.
Irish Mentality
Political limitations have restrict
ed the energies Of the Irish people
cramped and stultified the develop
ment of resources and economic
life of the nation, held subservient
by England's power and forces. We
know from the worlds experience
that the Irish people have all the
essential qualities, given the neces-
sary freedom once won, they will
demonstrate to the world that they
are as rich in natures endowments
of natural ability, and capacity to
acquire knowledge, and exercise it
as wisely, as the best of the chosen
peoples.
The Will of the People
Government is not compatible with
force. 1t can only rightly spring
from the will of the people. Those
who revert to force obviously prove
themselves to be in the wrong. The
happiness and liberties of the Irish
people will only be restored when
the tyranny and force which they
now resent is removed, and when
they have conceded to them the in
disputable right to evolve their own
form of government, founded on
the broad will of the people.
To Real Freedom
Ireland has a fair and fertile land
with almost unlimited resources,
and a mild climate-all the po-
tential needs for the promotion of
healthy, flourishing and progress
sive people. A worse use could not
be made of them than today. Ire
lands resources lie dormant and
undeveloped, and it's population is
diminishing. A greater Indictment
of English rule is unnecessary. We
who advocate their right to self
determination have in contempla-
ton people who will free them
selves from the anarchy of our
follies.
C-ooI-z CHAT ENrHIo ~ ri.