Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 April 1919 — SEE HOPE FOR IRISH FREEDOM [ARTICLE]

SEE HOPE FOR IRISH FREEDOM

Erin to Have Peaoe Voice, Says Member of American Delegation. SAYS CASE LOOKS BRIGHT Delegates From Ireland Will Be ln * vited to Parity Within Ton Days, la the Prediction— President Rocrtvea Delegation. Paris, April lA—“Within a week or ten days Ireland's peace delegates, Professor de Valera, Griffiths and Count Horace Plunkett, are to be invited to the peace conference, and they are going to place Ireland’s case before the ‘big four.’ ” Tills prediction was to Universal Service In an exclusive interview by M. J. Ryan of Philadelphia, a member of the American Irish peace delegation, after “five or six days of careful sounding;” tn Paris. Mr. Ryan said “We place all our hope In President Wilson, and I can safely, say that as a result of our work here in the past few days this hope will be justified. Underneath the surface of American diplomacy at the peace conference there Is a gradual breaking down of the barriers against Ireland, and the thread worn excuse that ‘America cannot at this time come out openly for Ireland’ Is rapidly disappearing. “Case Looks Bright," “The Irish-American peace delegation has mapped otft Its program. The peace conference’s Invitation to Ireland's delegates Is the first step. I cqnnot discuss the second step now, but I can tell the Irish buck home that Ireland’s case looks bright. “France has gone out of her way to be kindly and considerate of the comfort of our delegation. The French government even had a special representative to meet us at the hpat and expedite the handling of our luggage without subjecting It ts> search. France has cordially Invited us about the whole country as honored guests. That is not only the attitude of France, but It is rapidly becoming the attitude of nearly the whole of the peace conference as I see It. . “The civilized nations of the world are beginning to realize that there never will be a league of nations and there never will be universal peace with Ireland left seething in her present state of malcontent and unrest. It is not only best for Ireland, but best for Great Britain that this question be settled now.

“My colleague, Prank P. Walsh, I believe, controls a greater part of American labor than any other living man, and I say that with Samuel Gompers and others in mind. Unless Ireland Is given justice and freedom, there is a dread thought of the consequences.” Ryan hinted that the Irish-American triumvirate had been closeted with high American personages in Paris with good results, but he refused toreveal any names. Wilson Receives Delegation. President Wilson received the IrishAmerican delegation. Walsh was spokesman, representing not only himself, but also former Governor Dunne of Illinois and Ryan. He urged Ireland’s right to become a republic. 'Walsh insisted that the self-deter-mination clause of President Wilson’s 14 points compelled the peace conference to give Ireland self-government. President Wilson listened sympathetically to the explanations of Mr. Walsh, Who is personally friendly withhim. The Irlsh-Americans further urged a complete hearing by the peace con-' ference of the claims of actual Irishmen now here,' including the Sinn Feiners and others. Present Wilson is understood to have told Walsh that he adhered to the decision he announced in New York on the night of sailing for France on his second trip. •