The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-07-22
THE STATUS OF
IRISH AFFAIRS

The following statement issued
bv Thos. w. Lyons, National Sec
rotary, A. A. R. l. R. is so timely
in connection with the present peace
parley. Readers should cut it out
for present use.
Mr.. Lyons Statement
We rejoice at the splendid adj
vancement made by the Irish peo-
pie and the Irish Nation when we
find President De Valera invited to
conference in London by the
Prime Minister of England
The truce is a tacit admission
that state of war exists in Ire
land, and that President De Valera
speaks officially for the Irish Ma
ton.
1t is also a matter for congratula-
ton that President De Valera, be-
fore accepting the invitation, was
successful in obtaining the cooper
alton of the Southern minority.
On the other hand, we must not
j be too optimistic in face of the
fact that Sir James Craig, leader
of a fraction was invited on an
equal footing with President De
Valera. Having in mind other
conferences that ended in failure,
and mindful also Of English per-
fidy, we foresee a possibility that
should De Valera demand independ-
ence, the preiudices of the Ulster
ties may be inflamed and the claim
made once again by Lloyd George
that the Irish cannot agree among
themselves.
Greatest care should be exercised
in sitting the news of the confer
ence. Speculative dispatches and
misleading forecasts will be sent
from British sources of misinform-
ed news agencies. Judgment should
be suspended until Ireland has
spoken through it's representatives
Pending negotiations Ireland is
silent, but we have every confidence
that the soldiers and statesmen
who have brought the struggle to
such an important development
will either secure peace with honor
or continue the fight for freedom.
Never was it more necessary
than now to back up the people of
Ireland, we should intensity our ac-
Invites during the crisis by bring
ing every possible political pres
sure to bear on Washington to
recognize the Irish Republic. Not
one telegram or letter to our rep
resentatives or to the President is
wasted. 1t is most urgent that
we keep up a strong and constant
agitation.
If negotiations fail, the fight
must go on. In this event an at
tempt to massacre the entire Irish
race is inevitable. While hoping fol
the best we must be ready for the
worst.
Should war be resumed our pro
test against England must be hearc
| throughout the world.
Provision will have to be made
to finance the struggle on a bigger
scale than ever and in the opinion
of the Executive, this can best be
done by the floating of another Bone
in the fall of this year.
De Valera's Warning
President De Valera of the Irish
Republic has warned the people who
have stood by Ireland in her ire
mendous struggle for freedom
against over-confidence in connec,
ton with the preliminary peace ne.
gotiations and to especially carry or
an intense activity at the present
time because of its far reaching
effect in strengthening and sup.
porting the Irish Peace Delegation
in London.
De Valera's Message to Irish
People
Fellow Citizens
During the period of truce each
individual soldier and citizen
must regard himself as a custo-
| dian of the nations honor. Your
discipline must prove in the most
convincing manner that this is the
struggle of an organized nation.
In the negotiations now initial
ing, your representatives will dc
their utmost to secure a lust and
peaceful termination of this strug-
gle, but history, particularly our
own history-and the character of
the issue to be decided are warn
ing against undue confidence.
"Unbending determination to on.
dure all may still be necessary and
tortltude such as you have shown
IN all the recent sufferings.
These alone will lead YOU to the
place you desire.
Should force be resumed against
our nation you must be ready q,
once to resist. Thus alone will
you secure the final abandonment
Of force and the acceptance of ius.
tee and reason as arbiter."
Predicts Ireland VIII Soon Rank
As Free Nation
Dublin, July 12.-"Ireland homes
that the time is not far distant
when she, one of the Oldest of tht
European nations, may take he,
place amongst the free peoples n
the world" President De Valers
told newspapermen tonight. "ShoulC
our hope come to fruition Euron,
and all humanity will hear wifi
profound relief that the use of force
to overcome the national right ~
ireland has been abandoned alto,
seven centuries by one of the great.
est military powers of the world {,