Evening star., 1921-04-18
|RELAND'S FRIENDS
GATHER IN CHICAGO
Recognition of Republic Aim
of Convention Which
Opens Today.
Ry the Associated Press

| ~! IN" Associated iress-
! CHICAGO. April 1s.-Irish sympa-
thizers from all sections OF the coun-
try were here today at the opening Of
the first national convention of the
American Association for the Recog-
milton OF the Irish Republic.
| Messages from field leaders in Ire
lands fight for independence. declar-
ing that the Irish virtually had won.
were read today by Henry J. Boland.
, secretary to Eamonn De Valera.
The messages came from "PreSi-
| dent" De Valera, Michael Collins and
Caral Bruga. all Of whom are in Ire
! land.
DE Falera's message said:
De Valera's Prediction.
THE terror will break long before
there will be any weakening of our
people. The nation has taken a new
resolve and the time has arrived when
we can. without undue optimism safe
1E predict that
ireland is in better position now
than she has ever been wrote
Michael Collins. The pepole are
hardening in their determination
land goes forward with unfl!nching
determination to the final struggle"
Says Spirit Is "Magnifcent."
sage:
There are more soldiers than the
minister OF defense can arm and the
spirit of every man, woman and child
is magnificent. The army of the re-
public remains on the offensive and
all are eager to step into the breech
our morale is high and all are con-
fident"
Leaders in the movement to gain
American recognition of Ireland were
on the program of the two-day as
semblage. Committee reports and
election of officers were TO constitute
the chief business of the meetings
TOday's session opened with invoca
ton by representative of Archbishop
Murdelein of Chicago. followed by a
welcoming address by Mayor Thomp-
son.
Speakers Listed.
Speakers on the program included
Harry J. Boland. assistant to E,amon
de Valera. Irish "president"; Repre-
sentatives O'Connor of Louisiana and
Mason Of Illinois: Frank p. Walsh
counsel for the associa ton, and Don
aid OCallaghan. lord mayor of Cork
Miss Mary MacSwiney. sister of the
late lord mayor of Cork. who died in
Erixton prison, was on tonight's pro-
gram.
THE question of American recognf-
lioii VI lIeiduU is Oh VITAL importance TO
the peoples of both countries" Mr.
Boland told the convention in his plea
for the support of all liberty loving
men,.
What Is Sought for Ireland.
I'VE seek for Ireland he said the
application of those noble principles for
which you fought the war. We seek
your support so that the age-long strug-
gle may be consummated in the recoe-
nj nf Ipo1 ri h1v tha Tvrit
We look to you for help. The struggle
has resolved into a question of money
We will come to you again for a new
loan for the republic. This convention
must resolve today so to organize the
association that when the call comes
you will be prepared to supply 800, 000.-
900, should Ireland ask it in the name
of liberty.
AN effort is being made in America
to create the impression that Ireland is
unreas asonabe in her demands. Ireland
insists on only one right-the right of
selves how they shall be governed This
is all Ireland asks-ths and peace with
, honor"
Outlining alleged British atrocities
in Ireland. Mr.. Boland said the Eng
lish government had used the torch.
the lash. the rope bullets. sabotaged
the industrial plants and committed
crimes which Christ at His death could
not forgive
1T is all in vain, though" he con-
tinued. for the cause of Ireland goes
en- and is now at the point of victory"
Concerning peace. Mr.. Boland said
England could have peace amy time
she wanted it by guaranteeing Ireland
self determination adding that Ire
land was ready to join an associa ion
of nations at any time and would guar
antee that Ireland would never be
used as a base of attack on England"