AMERICA AND IRELAND.

New Zealand Tablet, 7 April 1921, Page 18

AMERICA AND IRELAND.

I wish that I could give all the reasons which make me look to this year as likely to be' the turning point in the fortunes of Ireland, »the unhappy holy isle* (writes a special correspondent to the London Catholic Times). In the last few weeks things have happened in the States which convince me that not since 1916 has the prospect for Ireland been so hopeful. A new* commission, non-political and non-sectarian, organised by 38 distinguished men, has been formed for the relief of Ireland. So significant is the fact that such a committee has been organised that the newspapers are chary about giving it to the public. When the entire committee is organised it will contain the names of practically every Irish-American of prominence. ; When many- millionaires band themselves together results are bound to follow. The work of; organisation has been going on for some months, but-the mere mention of the names of the people in the organisation can give no idea of its character and purposes. -I Mrs. ' Mac Sweeney’s Visit. ✓ ■' Mrs. Mac Sweeney made a great impress∋ Her testimony .was published in practically every paper in the country. The effect which it produced is perhaps best explained by such a facto as that Mr. Wilson asked for a complete report of all the proceedings before the Ration Committee. It is rumored? on rather good authority that one of the last of Mr. Wilson’s official utterances would be a statement in favor of self-determina-tion for Ireland. The reasons for giving credence to this rumor are so good , that I for. one will be disappointed f if it proves false. Sir ' Auckland Geddes has been mak-

ing petty> blunders all the time, which, are galling! everybody in the State department. It may be that the general dislike for all things English which' exceeds in the minds of most people the dislike for. tho Germans during the war, is making it hard for the inexperienced Geddes. To the average American nowadays the English are not only “Huns” but “super-Huns.’ It will take much “peaceful penetration” to reinstate the “mother country” in the esteem of the Yankee, and it is hardly an exaggeration to say that “hands across the sea” is a forgotten refrain. Americans Amazed. What seems to amaze most Americans is that the English, with their supposed hard-headedness and their gift for extricating themselves from embarrassing situations continue to endure the Government’s folly. It is certain that the blunders of the Coalition have done more to solidify American sentiment in Ireland’s favor than any other single factor in recent times. Never before was there so much interest in the affairs of the Empire, and it is needless to say that the Indians and the Egyptians and the'Coreans and all the other “small •and oppressed peoples” are getting a sympathetic hearing before all kinds of audiences. It matters little what Mr. Lloyd George may do now; his place among the great oppressors is firmly fixed in the American mind. His continued truculence in dealing with Ireland makes it increasingly difficult for the advocates of peace to find a hearing. Cork will not be soon forgotten. Nothing less than the withdrawal of the army from Ireland would convince the average American that he is not more than an imitation Prussian. Our papers are all in ecstasies over de Valera’s •coup in running the gauntlet. His presence in Ireland will not add to the peace of mind of the powers that be, and everybody is watching with interest what effect his advice will have on the peace proposals. After his American reception he will hardly be on the side of surrender.