Pueblo chieftain., 1921-06-20
BREACH BETWEEN IR|SH FACTIONS
W|DENS ON RESOLUTION OFFERED
AT[ABOR FEDERATION CONVENTION
Question Of Whether Declaration On English Boycott.
Was Official From Irish Republic Causes
Dissension

Denver. Colo, June 1a.-The split be
tween the two factions of Irish sym
pathizers in the American Federation
of Labor convention here widcncd to-
night when a majority of the signers
of resolution demanding boycott of
British made goods announced that
they had petuoned the resolutions
committee asking permission to with
draw the declaration.
While the delegates opposed to the
boycott resolution We're framing their
petition. the remaining supporters of
the resolution issued statement assert
ing that they would carry the fight
to the floor of the convention dcclar-
ing that they were acting in accord
ance with tho wishes OF cannon dc Val
era, president of the Irish republic"
On the other hand a group OF dele
gates opposing the boycott and urg-
ing adoption of less drastic resou-
tion made public telegram from
Harry Boland of New York, secretary
to De Valera, which rcpudiatcd the
claim of the boycott supporters that
their declaration, was the official re-
solution of the Irish republic
Would like to say that l have not
in any way interfcrcd or attempted
to interfere in the deliberations of the
American Federation of Labor" said
Mr.. Bolands telegram which was in
reply to query from fourteen inter-
national union officials, as to whether
the boycott resolution was the official
resolution of the Irish republic"
We seek the sympathy and support
OF the American Federation of Labor
but clearly understand 1t is u uucs-
tion solely for tho delegates them
selves to decide how, IL at all. such
sympathy should be expressed or sup
port given.
We have not dcputizcd any indi-
vidual or delegate to the convention
to speak for President de Valera or the
would wish to see strong action taken
by the federation in Irciand's behalf.
but dcplorc the fact that groups within
the convention would exploit the cause
OF ireland to their own political ends.
"'The cause OF ireland tho suffering
Of our pe0pir- arc too y1exeU- to us ic
permit them to be used NJ political
weapon or club against individuals or
policies within tho American Fedora
tion of Labor
Sam Evans. personal representative
OF Frank p. Walsh heading the sup
portcrs OF the boycott resolution gave
out IA telegram alleged to have been
sent by Boland to Peter ]. Brady. head
OF delegation OF Irish sympathize RI.
which said:
vital and important that resolution
be submitted as written. You prom
ised inc TO Introduce the resolution.
We are willing to take licking. Rely
on you at this crisis in Ircland's Af.
fairs 10 stand by your race
Mr.. Evans declared this telegram re-
fcrrcd TO the boycott resolution which
was rejected by tho committee headed
by Brady. Frank +. Walsh has also
sent II telegram urging support OF the
boycott resolution declaring that boy
colt on English goods would In my
opinion free Ireland"
"A mere resolution OF sympathy for
ireland would he "a backhand blow at
the braycst little nation that ever
fought for It's ilfc in tho history OF the
world he added.
The Chicago Federation of Labor is
sued "A statement declaring that the
boycott, cannot hurt Canadian un-
ions as II provides means that goods
manufactured In Canada under union
conditions arc excluded from the boy
Cott"
Tho statement said that tho boycott
by American labor would also
strengthen tho hands of the liberal
labor leaders In England. who are
seeking to aid the Irish nation achieve
sclf-determination'
Tho petition for tho withdrawal Of
the boycott resolution was drafted to-
day at meeting OF Irish sympa thizcrs
following the receipt of tho Boland tel
cgram declaring that the Irish r-pub-
lie was not Officially represented" in
tho convention. These delegates as.
serted that their signatures were So
cured 10 this resolution originally upon
tho belief that this declaration was
scnt by the official representative OF
tho Irish republic In America"
In asking withdrawal OF tho rcaolu-
ton they urged support of the dcclsra-
tinn submitted by delegates headed
hy MIR. Brady calling for recognition
Of tho Irish republic by congress. with
drawsl of British troops from ireland
and immediate repayment by great
Britain OF tho nine billion dollars
loaned her by the United States.