Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-04-20
Chapter XXXVIII
Ireland

" o one standing on the side
lines in the capital of the ma
- ton and witnessing the play
of the ardent passions Of the people
of the Irish race, demanding that
some affirmative action be taken by
our government to bring about the
realization of the right Of self-deter-
mination for Ireland, it seemed as
if the American president, Woodrow
Wilson, who first gave utterance to
the ideal Of self for all
the oppressed peoples of the world,
was woefully unnindful Of the age
long struggle that Irishmen had
been making to free their own be-
loved land from British domination.
But to those, like myself, who were
on the inside Of affairs, it was evil
dent that in every proper and legiti-
mate way the American president
was cautiously searching for eff
Gent means to advance the cause OF
self-government in Ireland and to
bring about a definite and satisfac-
tory solution of this complicated
problem.
Embarrassed as he was by deli
cate diplomatic situation, which to a
great extent governed his conduct,
he was not free openly to espouse
the cause of Ireland. To have done
so would have been to add difficult
ties to an already chaotic world sit
uation. He was compelled in what
he was seeking to do for Ireland to
move quietly and by informal con-
ferences impressively to lay the
case of Ireland before those who
sought his counsel in the matter.
Unfortunately, these quiet methods
of helpfulness which he brought to
the task were the things that drew
the fire of criticism and even dis
trust of many men of the Irish race
in America, who in their passionate
devotion to the cause which lay so
close to their hearts could see only
a direct route to accomplishing what
they had in mind.
Long before the European war the
president and 1 had often discussed
the Irish cause and how to make his
influence felt in a way that would
bring results without becoming in
volved in diplomatic snarls with
Great Britain. He was of the opin-
ion that the Irish problem could not
be settled by force, for the spirit OF
Ireland, which for centuries had
been demanding justice, was uncon-
uuerable. He pointed out to me on
many occasions when we discussed
this delicate matter that the policy
of force and reprisal which the Eng
lish government had for centuries
practiced had but strengthened the
tenacious purpose of the Irish people
and had only succeeded in keeping
under the surface the seething dis
satisfaction of that indomitable race.
His Views OH Irish Question
I recall that at the conclusion of
one of our talks after a cabinet
meeting, shaking his head as if he
despaired of a settlement, the pres
ident said: European statesmen
can never learn that humanity can
be welded together only by love, by
sympathy and by justice and not by
jealousy and hatred" He was GER
tain that the failure Of England to
| find an adjustment was intensifying
| feeling, not only in our own coun-
| try, but throughout the world, and
that the agitation for a settlement
would spread like a contagion and
would inevitably result in great
| national crisis.
An interesting comment on the
presidents attitude towards the
Irish question appears in an article
in the Atlantic Monthly Magazine,
for October, 1921. The article is by
Joseph Fort Newton, in his series,
preaching in London The COM
ment is as follows:
To-day a distinguished London
minister told me a story about the
president, for which he vouches.
He had it from the late Sylvester
Horne, member Of parliament ana
minister of Whitefields chapel, who
had known the president for years
before he was elevated to his high
office. Horne happened to be in
America, where he was always a
welcome guest, before the war,
| shortly after the president was in
| augurated, and he called at the
White House to pay his respects.
In the course of the talk, he ex-
| pressed satisfaction that the rela-
tons between England and America
would De IN SdI6 naIQS Wnllo LnS
| president was in office. The presi-
dent said nothing, and Horne won
dered at it. Finally he forced the
issue. putting it as a question point
blank. The president said, address
ing him in the familiar language
of religious fellowship: Brother
Horne, one of the greatest calami-
ties that has befallen bSnkind will
come during my term. Of office. 1t
will come from Germany. Go home
and settle the Irish question and
there will be no doubt as to where
America will stand"
In discussing the matter with me,
he said: 1.-THE whole policy Of Great
Britain in its treatment of the Irish
question has unfortunately been
based upon a policy of fear and not
policy Of trusting the Irish peo-
pie. How magnificently the policy
of trust and faith worked out in
the case of the Beers. Unfortunate
ly the people Of Ireland now believe
that the basis of England's policy
toward them is revenge, malice and
obstruction. You remember, Tu-