Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1922-02-25
THE IRISH SITUATION.

Few people amongst us seem>to un-
derstand the situation in Ireland. For
more than century. the Irish people,
who have distinctive characteristics
from the British have been clamoring
for independence and have clnimed
that they have been suffering under
the heel Of British oppression. AS the
Irish came to the United States and
prospCred, they organized for Ireland's
redemption. This resulted in a regu-
lar campaign OH this side of the Allan
tic for Irish freedom. An attempt was
made to embroil this country in Il war
{: with England. This failed and then
they proceeded to ship arms and am
munition and money TO Ireland and Il
secret organization, fighting under
handedly by assassination and by we'll.
nigh every other method made life
miserable in Ireland for Englishmen
generally.
, Troops were sent from England
hhS' SNuht iiSlI III lllC opcll, DNt NClC
of little service in this underground
method OF fighting. British officers
| were killed and at one time, threats
were made to blow up buildings in
England. Finally, the Irish, having
aided Great Britain in the World War,
it was TO grant to Ireland. the right of
sOlf-rOVarnmrnt and affair q Jitto, cou
, test Irish and British plcnipotcntiar:es
met. The sole agreement necessary to
, bring about such meeting was that
[ Ireland should accept and recognize
the sovereignty of King George OF
: England and him as ruler of the Brit
! fish Empire.
Finally an agreement was reached
and the plenipotcntiaries made tneir
report to the governing body of the
Irish people. After a prolonged discus
sion and Il bitter contest. the treaty
was accepted and the notice Of tho
same was given to the British Govern
mcnt. Then followed one OF the mast
remarkable scenes in the history Of
the world. British troops were with
drawn from Ireland and tile chosen
representative Of the Irish people in
stalled as ruler Of the Irish Free
State under the tutelage of tire British
Empire. The opposition forces under
the leadership of President Velera Of
the unrecogniZed Irish Republic re-
fused to abide by the decision of their
colleagues and proceeded to continue
the warfare, thus endangering the IT.
ish Free State. III the meantime Il
vote is to be taken among the Irish
people themselves in order to settle
tile question.
The irish in America, who have
been furnishing the money are de-
tcrmined that the war shall go on un-
, til the complete independence of Ire
land is recognized. They arc now fin
ancing- so it is said another revolu-
! ton. But this time, it is Irish against
, Irish. The British Government has got
ten out and the Irish Government is
| in. There is another peculiar phase to
, the situation. Tho northern part Of
, Ireland, known az Ulster is loyal to
! Great Britain and it has steadfa3tly
refused to be a party to any Irish Re-
public or Irish Free State. 1t is loya:
' to the crown. The people residing
there arc for the most part members
OF tile Church OF England. They are
Professionals. while those clamoring for
independence are Roman Catholics.
| 1t will be seen then that this is 4
religious fight as we'll as a political
one. The people Of southern Ireland
have begun reprisals against those OF
northern Ireland and the people OF
northern Ireland have demanded the
protection Of British troops. These
have been sent and the outlook now
seems to be that civil war will be
the result. The British Government is
| in position which seems to be al i'm
provcment upon the one it previously
occupied It now has it's most inveter-
ate enemies divided, with Ulster 10y
al.
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