The New York herald., 1922-03-19
RIVAL IRISH ENJOYS
ISSUE STATEMENTS
Free Staters Here to Thank
America and Not to Get
Into Arguments.

Statements from both OF the visiting
Irish delegations were made yesterday
at their respective headquarters. the st,
Regis and the Waldorf. The members
Of the visiting parties representing the
Irish Free State and those representing
De Valera spent most of the day in con-
sultation and in short tours about the
city. Both sides are busy with plans
for the next few weeks, the details of
which will be announced to-day.
At the st. Regis James O'Mara, Com
mandant-General Piaras Beaslai and
Soan MacCaolite represented the Irish
Free State. Mr.. O'Mara in statement
last night refused to comment on the
activities of the men representing
Eamonn de Valera. and said that his
party was not here to argue and politi-
can question
These matters are for the considera-
ton of the Irish people, said Mr..
O'Mara, ''and We have not come here to
make our domestic concerns a matter
for agitation among the American peo-
ple.' We are not here to collect single
cent of money, and in fact have refused
considerable Our mission is that of any
visiting delegation to your country. We
wish to express to the American people,
our lasting and loyal friends. our graft
tude and appreciation for their support,
and to extend to them the official greet
ing from the newest of nations the Irish
Free State"
Commandant-General Beaslai was
dressed in the new green uniform of the
Irish Free State army. which is adorned
with gold buttons bearing the the harp
of Erin. He wore the new double Sam
Browne belt and leather puttees. A
single gold stripe across either shoulder
similar 70 the shoulder strap of an
ensign in the American navy was the
the only distinguishing mark of his rank.
His two companions were in civilian
clothes
That the Irish Free State stands ready
to redeem the bonds OF the Republic of
Ireland was stated by the representa-
tives No definite plans have been COM
pleted as yet for their stay in this coun-
try. According to Mr.. OMara. in COM
menting in general and briefly on the
Irish situation:
1--WE have complete commercial as well
as political freedom in Ireland under the
treaty, and we are only too glad to have
q test made by vote of how the vas;
majority Of the Irish people feel about
the new ARRANGEMENTS. The return OF
that will speak for itself. We of the
delegation would rather not enter into
a lengthy discussion of politics and poll
cies which we consider our own domestic
difficulties and ones which we will
straighten out without agitating the
American public. never remember"
he continued. smiling. ''the time when
either the Democrats or the Republicans
sent delegations to Britain to argue their
domestic differences and we don't fee!
that we should take any similar action"
A long statement was issued at the
Waldorf by Austin Stack and John J.
Kelly, who are here at the invitation OF
the American Association for the Recog-
milton of the Irish Republic. or as better
known. the De Valera group of Irish
political thought. The statement as
serted the American people did not know
the truth of present conditions In Ire
land and that the mission of both Stack
and OKelly was to enlighten them on
| this point
Comparisons between the status OF the
| Irish Free State with Canada were made
and the visitors recited a number of the
Objectionable features" of the treaty,
| including the "odious oath of allegiance"
| and many other terms. The statement
claims that the existing Government OF
| Ireland at present is the Republic, which,
they say, "has successfully conducted all
departments OF the national activity for
three years OF relentless war" The
statement ends with a parting shot evil
IDENTIFY AIMED at the delegation from the
| Free State. and says;
Until we have consulted those who
| have invited us. we do not wish to add
\ anything further beyond the expression
/ of our conviction that the greatest ene-
mics Of Irish peace at the present mo-
ment are those, whether at home or
! elsewhere who seek to discredit the
| Republican leaders and drive them to a
i policy which would no longer command
the confidence of the young men and
women who are alone endowed with the
strength and courage to build up the
new Ireland of our hopes"
The De Valera delegates left last night
4 at midnight for Boston. where they will
attend the opening to-day of the A. A.
r. I. r. convention and then will start
I on a. tour of the New England States.
addressing various meetings as far north
| as Portland. Me, and will return TO New
York on March 90 for the mass meeting
I to be held at the Lexington Theater.
A tour through the United States will
/ follow that meeting.