The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-03-18
By DAVID LAWRENCE.

BY DAVID LA hENGE.
Especial Despatch To The. Reformer.)
Copyright 1921.
WASHINGTON, March IS.-Presi-
dent Harding has had his first taste of
the Irish problem and has met the issue
squarely by declining to permit the
United States government to be drawn
into any action that might be construed
as a recognition of hetIrishc Republic.
Mr. Harding received telegram
couched in terms so displeasing and so
caustic that he did not answer it in per-
son, but directed his secretary to sign
the reply The message which was sent
by John F.. Harrgan, state president of
the Massachusetts Council of the Amer
lean Association for the Recognition of
the Irish Republic. read as follows ::
TO President Harding: General Ruek-
man and Admiral Dunn. in press state
ments today say that to permit troops to
march in partisan demonstration espec-
tally. one unfriendly to another nation.
would be serious breach of interna-
tional amity. Evacuation day. March
II, is a local demonstration of loyalty
and patriotism that no devotee of Tory
POSITION.
can stop. Are these officials American
or satellites of foreign governments?
buchanan and Dunn asked the officials of
the Evacuation day parade if the Amer
lean association for Recognition of the
Irish Republic intends to participate in
the parade. When they were told YES
they warned against the parading with
them of men in United States uniform
whether in service or reServists. Are
they autOcrats or is this Democracy?
They say no authority can revoke this
decree. 1t is for Washington to say
whether they are supreme. AS Ameri-
cans we demand action in the name of
the revocation of orders from Ruckman
and Dunn"
The White House gave out the text of
the foregoing message and also this re
ply by Secretary Christian Your tel
egram has been called to the attention
of the President and he directs me to
say in reply that army and navy COM
manderS have authority to direct the
forces under their command. The gov
eminent raises no issue about the fit
ness of your celebration of Evacuation
day and the spirit of St Patrick day
is felt throughout our country. but the
naval and military forces of the nation
can have no part in any demonstration
which may be construed as influencing
The sending of the Harrigan message
to Mr.. Harding was the subject of Il
long conference after which President
Harding decided that it was time to make
clear the position of his administration
on the Irish question. He himself feels
the warmcst sympathy with the aspir-
atoms of the Irish people and were he
an individual without official RESPONSE
bility for the conduct of foreign rela-
tions, he would gladly speak his views or
even participate as ne pleased in any
demonstration in behalf of the Irish
cause. But. as President of the United
States. in charge of foreign relations and
obliged daily to deal with the govern
ment of Great Britain with which the
United States is at peace. he cannot per-
NIT anything to happen which the Brit
ish might make a subject of official COM
plant. Secretary Weeks, of the war de-
partment, who halls from Massachusetts
and knows the Irish influence in that
state, joined with Secretary DENLY of
the navy department in upholding the
action of General Ruckman and Admiral
Dunn, in refusing TO permit American