The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-02-17
In To-day's Mail Writer Asks Support for Irish Republican Army
 In Fight for Free
 dom.
Editor, Waterbury Democrat:


 Dear Sir: From time to time in discussing the political situation in the Irish Free State with men and women of Irish birth or descent who at one time took an active part in Irish political societies in this city having for their objective the support of the Irish Republican Army q. E. A.) in it's fight for Irish freedom. I find how effectively Brit ish propaganda has done it's work. What is the objective of the I. E. A. to-day and has not Ireland already got complete measure of freedom are samples of the many questions asked of men and of all those who believe as do?
 The objective of the r.. +. A. to- day is the same as 1t was ten years ago. That objective is the Irish Re- public of thirty-two counties, politi- cally united as one nation, having whether in politics, finance or by way. of alliance. A republic in which every citizen alikescontributes to the production of thea necessaries of life and alike participates in the enjoyment of them.
 That was the objective of Tone, of Connolly, and of Pearse, and their methods are the methods of the I. F. A. to-day. Is Ireland free? Free ,3 nations mean free parlia- ments7 free law courts, free army, free ports, and sovereign power over all it's territory.
 This bit of Ireland called the Free State passes laws and they have to be ratified by His Majesty King Georges representative. (See Article Al, Free State Constitution). This bit of Ireland has law courts, the appeal rests against them to the decision of the English House of tion.) In case of war England has the, right to anything in Ireland, roads, railroads, money, and man power or anything she considers is q facility of war. See Article of Articles of Agreement between Eng land and Ireland J. ~
 | To-day the principal, .laborers of this bit of Ireland are under con- trol of British maintenance parties and all aviation facilities in their neighborhood are reserved to Eng land. Wireless stations can be estab- lished and submarine Gables laid by this bit of Ireland only when she first gets permission from England. But England can land, cables and establish wireless stations at any time ard for any purpose. All civil communications must be. regulated by England. (See Article of Articles of Agreement between Eng land and Ireland.) Is that the free dom Irish men and women the world over hoped and prayed for? No.
 Is that the freedom the youth of Ireland fought for? No. Never has a tree been nourished like the tree of Irish freedom. Blood of patriots of all ages has helped to keep 1t green. Men have gone out to fight and instead of returning have died. The story of defeat has come back but it has been taken up and flung back at the enemy with splendid derision. Men have not been dis heartened by these defeats, but have willingly gone out again to wage that strife and to shed their blood, so that the tree of Irish freedom might still remain green. The men of Ireland to-day are no different than any other generation or lrisn men. They too will go out again and wage that strife when the time comes. Come 1t will for a certainty and when that time comes they, the sighting men of Ireland q. R. Al must be ready.
 Can Ireland secure freedom by constitutional means? Looking back through Irish history we have been forced to learn that not even a con- cession was ever extracted from England without an armed fight or a threat to resort to arms. We in our own time know what happens. In 1920 a victory won. by, the fight ing men of Ireland to, be lost only when Ireland pitted her diplomatic skill against England in 1921 and when diplomacy and constitutional methods failed in the past they will not succeed in the future. claim that the government of, the republic