The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-02
FREEDOM OF IRELAND

The following resolutions were
adopted by the American Federation
Of Labor at the convention in Denver.
Colo, on June %:
WHEREAS. The American Federation Of
Labor, by vote in convention, has en-
Irish people to secure a government of
their own determination, and admires the
manner in which they have expressed their
determination thru their eyer-increasing
popular vote to establish an Irish Republic
governed Economically and,
\ WHEREAS, The people of Ireland at
their elected officials have ever increased
the popular demand for a government Of
tom ton. DESPITE the threats and intimida-
tions, suffering, starvation and murder of
those who believe in liberty or expression,
more than eighty per cent demanded
government of their own determination;
WHEREAS. There has~been instituted in
Ireland at the hehest of the British govern
ment and vested interests, a campaign Of
most uncivilized character, expressing
of food, factories and homes, and killing
Of innocent people by regular and auxiliary
military forces; and,
WHEREAS, The British authorities are
seeking to prevent and destroy commerce
between Ireland and other countries. ana
are preventing American ships from enter
WHEREAS, This conduct Of the British
Imperial authorities in Ireland has brought
great suffering upon the Irish people, in
flicted upon them great injustice and pre-
vented them from pursuing their normal
course of life, has led the people Of Ameri-
ca to contribute large sums of money
amounting to millions Of dollars to relieve
the suffering and distress; and,
WHEREAS, These charges have been
fully proven by such responsible bodies as
the British Labor party, the Society. OF
Friends (Quakers) and others, and since
Il was one Of the objects Of the United
and safeguard the right Of self-determina-
ton for small and subject nationalities,
and since the British government thru its
ministers and its parliament its official
papers and its recruiting officers pledged
freedom to the people of ireland. pledge
ed by the voluntary enlistments. Of the
men OF Ireland for war service and the en-
listment Of men Of Irish birth in other
lands, these enlistments being so heavy as
to compare favorably with the enlistments
of other rationalities; and,
WHER EAs, The British government has
seen fit to disregard this pledge SO solemn
ly made and so fully accepted, treating it
as scrap of paper. the British government
now stands revealed before the world as
having refused to carry out its solemn
pledge, showing that the faith of the Irish
people, who look for freedom after CEN
turtles OF mistreatment at the hands OF the
British government, was again betrayed,
Showing to the people of the world who
look with hope for the elimination Of armed
conflicts between nations, that the suffer-
ing and oppressed can only secure relief
thru their own efforts aided by lovers of
1DerIy IN OIler lanQS+ ana.
WHEREAS, This policy Of Great Britain
threatens the peace Of the world, be it
therefore,
RESOLVED ~ That the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, in convention assembled
| reiterates and reaffirms this action Of the
Montreal convention, supports the IrisH
people in their struggle for freedom, ana
for recognition of the Irish Republic; and
| (2) That copies of these resolutions bE
sent to the president, vice president. thE
members Of the cabinet, urging recognitiok
Of the Republic of Ireland, and urging
protest be made to Great Britain again5
the brutal and uncivilized warfare NOT
being conducted in Ireland; and,
(3) That the executive officers OF tHc
American Federation Of Labor be id
structed to communicate with all membeti
lof congress urging immediate enactme4
LOT legislation necessary to bring about fut
recognition Of the Republic OF Ireland
land,
az The American Federation Of Lab@l
request all its affiliated bodies and thdl
local unions to write to the president, tn
vice president, members of the cabine
and members of the senate and house b
lrepresen tauyes urging immediate recogdi
ton Of the Republic OF Ireland: and,
10 That the American Federation D
4 Labor ask the British Trades unions in d.
the British colonies and dominions to CD