Evening journal., 1921-03-22
START TROUBLE
in AUSTRALIA
One-hfth of Inhabitants no
Longer Loyal to
England
DIR. MANNIX
is THEIR IDOL

MANCHESTER. England. March
15.-About one-ffth Of the people Of
Australia are Irish by race. religion
and political opinions, writes a sgd
ney correspondent 10 The Manchester
Guardian. They came in large
numbers in early days. and later
during times OF famine or political
stress. The fact that many came to
escape British rule in Ireland in
fuences their views about the em-
pire.
Nevertheless. Australian Irishmen
are far from being irreconcilables
They have lived as fellow citizens
Of a British people who both glory
in British principles and take shame
in the story OF Ireland. In 1914 at
least nine Australians out OF ten
were. I think. in favor OF Home
Rule. Australian Irishmen came TO
believe in British justice. In 1914
nine out Of ten Of them were loyal 10
a British government that had pass
ed tho Home Rule act. and were
proud to serve under its flag in the
world fight against militarism. Aus
tralia was united and loyai-like Ire
land herself. a bright spot" in a
chaos OF frightfulness.
In 1915 the change in Australia
was similar to the change in Ireland
The British government had destroy
ed both the Home Rule act and the
Home Rule party. Il had thrown
ireland back into anarchy. and was
helping the minority to hold down
the majority In Australia, as in
ireland. Home Rulers became Sim
Feiners. Irishmen ceased TO be-
lieve in British justice.
The empire became their enemy.
No good could come 20 Ireland save
from the empires weakness. Irish
men ceased to volunteer. Their
vote defeated conscripuon. The
ardent loyalists OF 1914 were ardent
disloyalists in 1916. Dr. Mannix
became the idealized representative
Of a million Australians who two
years before had sung patriotic
songs in honor Of an all-British fight
Tor justice and liberty.
The story of Mr. Mahon. ex-mem-
ber for Kalgoorlie in the Federal
Parliament illustrates the change.
Mr.. Mahon was a fellow prisoner
with Parnell in Kilmainham Jail in
1881, and came to Australia in 1882.
He became a prominent labor lead
OF and a colleague OF Mr.. Hughes.
though he resigned Office when Mr..
Hughes became champion Of con-
scription. His reputation is that
Of a man both Of ability and Of
moderation. His sons fought in the
war and he was proud Of their SER
vice 70 the empire. But ne was an
Irishman, and his mind moved as
other Irish minds moved. "Never
in Russia. under the worst rulers Of
the Cars" he said. 10 a meeting Of
Irishmen, "hadsthere been such an
Infamous murder as that OF the late
Alderman MacSwiney. II there
was a Just God in heaven, one day
He would shake the foundation OF
this bloody and accursed empire"
Mr.. Hughes proposed the explu-
sion OF Mr.. Mahon from Parliament,
and the proposal was carried by a
big majority. II was a curious sit
uation. One thought Of John
wilkes and the Middlesex election OF
1859 and wondered what would hap
pen II Kalgoorlie again returned her
old member. But Mr.. Mahon held
his seat only by a small majority
and was now defeated by an equally
small majority. A few hundred
electors out OF over 5000 changed
their votes. Eight thousand cleo
tors who in 1914 had been eager TO
tight for the empire in its moment
of bitter peril now desired 10 be rep
resented by a man who had called
il bloody and accursed' and who
hoped and believed that just God
would shake its formations.
Yet this is not the feeling of Aus
tralia. nor IS il the normal feeling
Of Australian Irishmen. Australians
do not desire the separation OF Ire
land from Britain and from the
British dominions. on the contrary,
Australians believe more strongly
now than ever that i'm the union and
in the strength OF the British nation
ia the best hope Of the worlds re-
covery.