IRISH CAUSE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 253, 20 July 1920, Page 5

IRISH CAUSE

! "OVERWHELMING ENTHUSIASM" IN AMERICA FOUND BY DR. MANNIX ByTelwrranh-Preja Aasooiatlon-OoDyrlffht New York, July 18. An Australian Press Association representative interviewed Archbishop Mannix. The correspondent asked whether there was any connection between the Irish Republic and tho Archbishop's mission to Rome. Dr. Munnis replied: "No. It is the regular visit to the Holy Sec' expected of every bishop. There is no political aspect to my trip through the United States. I am only taking the opportunity to seo America. But everywhere I have been I have found the enthusiasm for tho Irish cause overwhelming." Tho correspondent asked how the archbishop reconciled his statement that America was enthusiastic for tho Irish cause with the fact that neither the Republican nor tho Democratic Convention endorsed recognition of the Irish Republic. Dr. Maunix replied that tho action of the conventions was duo to the fact, perhaps, that tho Irish vote was not sufficiently largo to bring about an endorsement of recognition; but it must be remembered that more than 400 of the thousand delegates at the Democratic Convention voted for tho recognition. The correspondent asked: "Do you think Do Valera wise in obtaining the recognition plank from the Third Party, since the party has radical tendencies?" Dr. Mannix replied: "De Valera. has been judicious throughout. He is not attempting to use force, or even to indicate to which party Americans should attaoh themselves. In reply to' a question whether there was a possibility that official recognition by the United States of Ireland might be a casus belli between the United States and England, the Archbishop replied: "England would not at this time BO to war with the United States. She could not do it, England might go to war with the United States at seme future time, but not now. There might be diplomatic unpleasantness from such recognition, but the United States could better afford it in the cause of Irish freedom than another country."

Dr. Maniiix said he had net heard that any attempt was likely to be mado to prevent his landing in England, "I will visit England after I visit Ireland. My stay in Ireland is only a return to my home, and has no political aspect." Dr. Mannix refused to make any further comment on the Ventura incident.—Aus.N.Z. CaWo Assn.

MADISON SQUARE GATHERING ADDRESSED BY DE VALERA AND DR. MANNIX. (Rec. July 19, 7.35 p.m.) Nsw York, July 19. Dr. Mannix and De Valera delivered speeches in Madison Square Garden to a large gathering of Irish Americans. Do Valera declared that as President of the Irish republic he signed an order authorising the young men of Ireland to fight conscription. Dr. Mannix said that if Ireland's enemy had been Germany, then Ireland would now havo freedom. If De A r alera could come before the Peace Conference and say the wrongs suffered by Ireland were due to German oppression, then the Peace Conference would give Ireland immediate independence; but because the wrongs were inflicted by the English De Yalcra could not go before the Conference. If a. popular plebiscite were taken in the United States it would show that an overwhelming majority cf the peoplo were for formal recognition of Ireland.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

CONSTABULARY OFFICER MURDERED # : SINN FEIN'S REVENGE. London, July 18. Fourteen armed and disguised men rushed into the smoking-room of the County Club, in Cork. Tho leader of the gang asked, "Where is he?" whereupon one of his followers pointed out the! Divisional Commissioner of Constabulary in 'Minister (Captain Smyth, V.C.). Revolvers were instantly levelled, and Smyth's head was riddled. Inspector Craig, who was conversing with him, Has seriously wounded in the leg. The assailants decamped. The murder of Smyth was in revenge for a speech circulated by tho Sinn Fein, in which he urged the police to adopt methods of terrorism, and to murder the innocent and the guilty alike, promising them immunity and the support of the troops. Smyth, who had lost his left arm in the war, had repudiated the Sinn Fein's report,—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo'Assn. (Rec. July 19, 8,5 p.m.) London, July 18. The Cork County Club outrage caused a sensation. Some masked raiders covered the hall porter with revolvers while the rest rushed the smoking-room, whero wore four men, including Captain Smyth and Inspector Craig. Tho raiders for a moment could not see Smyth, as he was sitting on a lounge. TJieri someone point ed him out, and a shot Was fired. Smyth sprang to his feet and ran to the door, raiders firing five or six shots, until he collapsed in the passage. Tho other occupants of the room were paralysed with horror. The raiders, pocketing their weapons, left the building and scattered. The. whole occurrence was over in thirty seconds—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn STREET FIGHTING IN CORK. (Rec. July 19, 11.40 p.m) a London, July 19. The County Club is an exclusive institution in the heart of the City of Cork, It is the Carlton Club of Monster. After tho murder there was much military activity. Some ex-soldiers camo into conflict with troops, and one exsoldier died after receiving a bayonet thrust, apparently because he' failed to answer a challenge. Sinn Fein volunteers then intervened. Six persons were seriously wounded in street fighting. It is reported that three soldiers were shot dead. An armoured car assisted the military—Aus.-N./i. Cable Assn