Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-23
S|NN FE|N HOLDING
FORBIDDEN SESSION
Fear British Forces May Inter-
fere With Executive Com.
mittee Meeting
IRISH CLERGY URGE PEACE
BY the Associated Press

bnbIfn, Aug. E5.-hcmberS OF the
Irish Republican Parliament. gathered
here to frame their reply to the British
Governments offer Of dominion status
for ireland. divided their activities today
between the secret sessions of the Par
lament and n meeting of the Executive
| Committee Of the Sim Fein.
The meetings Of the two bodies we're
held in tho Mansion House. and it was
believed both would concern themselves
with the attitude taken by the Irish re-
puhlicans toward the terms laid down
by Prime Minister Lloyd George.
Meetings of the Sim Fcin Executive
Committee were placed under the ban
long ago by the British Government.
and. so far as known. tho prescription
was never lifted When II was an
nounccd the committee would meet
there was some apprehension lest Crown
forces would Interfere in the gathering.
but IN until this morning no intima-
ton had been given that British au-
thorities in Ireland frowned on the
proposed assembly.
Executives "On the Run"
While oil the members Of the Dali
Eireann have permission to attend its
sessions in the Mansion House. many
members Of the Sim Fcin executive
body are ION the rum" their cases not
being covered by the immunity given
the Dali members. Some are men whOrn
the crown forces have been seeking for
weeks. and even months.
Influence Of the civil administrators
Mt Dublin Castle and of others in the
Irish office. who are making all efforts
to secure peace in 1re'and, was ex-
pccted, however. to insure against any
interference with these men by the mill
tarv authorities.
of the Irish Republican Army is con-
tinuing unabated. and they are being
acclaimed wherever they go. SO much
attention, however. seems to be palling
upon the principal chiefs. Such men
as Michael Collins. commander In chief
of the Ira John J. Walsh. popularity
known as the 'jail breaker; Austin
Stack. Minister for Home Affairs Ia
the Dali Cabinet, and other leaders,
spend much time in efforts to escape
! the hero worshipcrs. They enter the
| Mansion House by back doors and sci.
dom venture into the 'imelight without
| a companion with whom they can share
the cheers of the crowd.
Collins Wary Of Strangers
Collins. dining alone last night in a
nublic restaurant. plainly showed the
effect Of his long hiding in the hills.
He was nervous and appeared instinc-
! lively to eve closely any strangers who
anproachcd. Walsh. however. is of m
! entirely different type-a huge youth,
who seems never to lose his nerve, a.
ways cool and contained
John ]. McKeown, another of the
| Sim Fem heroes. is similar to Walsh
in physique and just about as self
| possessed.
Considerable speculation was caused
kcre last night by the delivery of n
message to Eamon de Valera by Mon
signor Edward Mulhcrn, Bishop of
Dromore. 1t was asserted the message
lad not com" from Cardinal Loguc.
head of the Catholic Church in Ire
! land. but there was no further infor-
nation relntiv" to the origin Of the
| message. except it came from highest
authority" 1t was the subject of pro-
tracted consultations BY the Sim Fem
| leaders.
Speculate on Message
Only the iRner circles of the Sim
Fein and few Dublin people thus far
have knowledge of the visit of Mon
signor Mulhcrn to Mr.. do Valera, but
among those aware of it-aside from
| the few who may be assumed to have
definite nOwlcdge-animated discussion
WAS still in progress today as to the
source of MonsignOr Mulhcrn's mes
| sage. Notwithstanding that it had been
dee ared in some quarters that Cardinal
| LOgue had not sent the messenger, II
| was pointed out by others that MOnsig
nor Mulhern would be the natural mes
srnger for Cardinal Logue, as his seat
! as Bishop of Dromore at NewrY Is only
/ fifteen miles from CarlingfOrd, where
| Cardinal LOguc is staying.
Should the Cardinal, it was argued,
| receive Il message for transmission or
decide it was time himself to take Il
| step toward peace. he would in ordinary
course select the nearest Bishop to act
/ rs intermediary.
Cardinal Loguc has been n consistent
| opponent Of violence in Ireland and has
even gone so far as to condemn the
destruction Of goods under the boycott
shortly after the Dali Eireann con :
vened 1t was declared in some quarters
that the Irish clergy was urging such
action by the Parliament that would