ULSTER AND SINN FEIN

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1920, Page 4

ULSTER AND SINN FEIN

Six Irish Clergymen representing theAfetbodist, Presbyterian and Episcopal Churches, beaded by William Cootc ALP., from South Tyrone, arrived in New York early in January to enter up. on a campaign to counteract the propaganda of the Sinn Feiners in U.S. country. “We are not here on a financial campaign,” declared Mr Coote in explaining the purposes of the delegation; “money •is not our object. We are here on a political campaign—American . politics is a matter for Americans, and British politics for Britishers. We are here in the interest of the law and order, of truth and honesty, of fair play and principle, to protest against the pernicious propaganda which is being spread in your country in relation to Ireland. Our missin is not sectarian. We raise no religious issue.

“Our mission is to say to America that the Sinn Fein movement in Ireland. which is spreading its propaganda in America, is not a solution of the Irish question; that it is radical and destructive in it smethods; that it is conducting in Ireland a campaign of coersion, threat and asassination, and that it is not supporting or respected by the better type of people in Ireland, whether Catholic or Protestant, who have no interest or prejudiced motive; that it was the party rebellion during tho war ; that it supported and furthered the cause of the foe, and that it was a tratior to the Allied cause.

“Naturally in America you would favour a Republican form of Government. The Sinn Fein calls itself a Republic. Therein lies the danger. It is a movement akin to tho Bolshevik Republic in Russia. Their methods are alike. The Irish Republic does not and cannot exist.

“If what the Sinn Fein agents sav concerning the British Government is true, and if our churches are opposed to Sinn Fein, then we are partners with the Government. We resent their untruthful propaganda. We are here to inform our American public on the real situation. We know our mission -will have a wide hearing, for the report of your fair-play and honor is abroad in our churches.’ ’