W. J. BRYAN AND THE IRISH QUESTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 78, 2 April 1913, Page 6

W. J. BRYAN AND THE IRISH QUESTION.

(To the Editor.*

Sir, —In Friday's issue of your paper appears a cablegram from London under date of 22nd inst., setting forth the views of ike "Standard," "Morning Post," and 'iDaily Mail" on this question—all three strongly condemning the United States Secretary of State for expressing his vj#ws on the Irish question! It is very curious thai "wixen any public man outside the British Empire expresses his views on British questions, such views are looked upon favourably if of a flattering 'nature; but if they happen to be of the straightforward kind, touching the Empire's weakest spot (Ireland), they are regarded as an '•indiscretion," "virulent," "inflated nonsense," and other choice epithets tiat the editors of the three London dailies mentioned find convenient to üße. But -what are the actual facts? That twelve months ago the President of the (United States (at the time), speaking at a banquet in Chicago, under the auspices of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, went even further than Mr 'Bryan in diecusshtg the Irieh question, but because the "treaty ddea" was in -the air at the time no comment was made! Is it because the United States is now taking a firm stand on the Panama Canal question that the English dailies in question are annoyed at Mr Bryan's remarks on Ireland's struggle and hope? Have the papers mentioned never interfered in, or has no English .public .man .never expressed an opinion on, the internal affairs of a foreign nation? iWhat of the viewe of the English Press—of men in England of light and leading—on the affairs of Belgium in the Congo, of the rubber question in (Peru, the Turkish atrocities in Armenia and Macedonia, and generally erf all the suggestions given by many of England's public mcn —ac well* as the .English Press—-to Russia, Germany, and almost every country in the world? Why, Sir Edward Grey recently stated on the floor of the House of Commons that the Balkan war must end! What is the difference between the Balkan struggle and the Irieli? The same ideals, the same aspirations, and right down" the centuries the Balkan States and the Irish nation have suffered and struggled for freedom!

But more—Mr iW J. Bryan is not looking for Irish votes in .the States. The Irish vote there is not like the Irish vote in England. Irishmen in the States not only exercise the franchise but wield the reins of government, and as proof of this the Parliament of America has found time to discuss the Irish question during the last few months and paes a resolution—one of many of a similar •kind—registering the national support of America in support of the national ilakm of Ireland! 'We hear a lot of talk of "an Ang3o-(American alliance," a lot of -talk about "peace tr-eaties" between "the two English-epeaking nations," but it is well to recollect tlrat the power the Irish wield in the United States ie a factor to he coneidered in international' relations, and which can never be won to the British Empire by ihe hla-zing indiscretions of the London "Standard," '•"Post," or iMa3."—l am, etc., J. J. SULLIVAN.