SINN FEIN V. AMERICANISM

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1920, Page 3

SINN FEIN V. AMERICANISM

By AVilliam Newman Chew. (From English Speaking- World). A few months ago in Life there appeared a cartoon, which depicted John Bull plunged in domestic problems, and worries, and Uncle Sam/with a friendly hand outstretched to him. Underneath the illustration, these, words appeared: “If it is any satisfaction to you to know it, John, you may rest assured that you have the deep respect and .friendship of all decant people in our country.’’ To mo, and to many other Americans of .British ancestry, this cartoon conveyed a great thought. It comes nearer expressing the true American feeling for Great Britain. America is our Mother, but after all, Great Britain is our Grandmother, and blood is thicker than water every time. Nineteen twenty is a presidential year. It has always been the fashion among a certain class of cheap politicians in this country to “Twist the Lion’s tail” in order to cater to the vote of certain classes. So the opinions proclaimed now are not truly American, and it is sincerely to bo hoped, that our British cousins realize this. . Most of it will die down after November 2nd. Just now we are hearing a lot of talk about “self-determination for Ireland” and other such twaddle. Primarily the question is none of our business. The United States has problems enough of its own. Suppose the British Parliament dictated to us about the Japanese in California, the freedom of tbo Phillippines, or any other domestic problem? We’d all be ready to declare war the next day for their meddling. It is a poor rule that does not work both ways, and a poor preacher who does not practice that Which he preaches. Most persons knew the story of the Irish immigrant who landed at Ellis Island, and asked if there was a government in the United' States. When answered in the affirmative, he remarked : “AVell ,I’m agin’ it.” That is the typical Si fin Fein attitude. They don’t know what they want, but they want it very badly. If they had freedom, they would not know what to do with it. However, that is no concern of America. But there is one phase of the Irish problem which should be the concern of every American—the commercial aspect. Geographically Ireland lies across the path of shipping from New York to Liverpool. Most of the Atlantic shipping of the United States goes via that route. Now let us suppose

that there was a free and independent Republic of Ireland. It would be controlled by tlie Sinn Feiners, who hate England with an undying hatred. They would wish to do all in their power to harm her commercially and in every other way. As a result, our commerce would be hampered. Why do we allow ourselves to be hoodwinked by the foolish sentiment of a crowd of Hyphenates" who fail to put their Americanism first, although they claim the protection and freedom of the Stars aind Stripes? To those who feel England is violating the sacred principles of liberty and justice, let me say this. In 1861 when the Southern States rebelled, and claim ed the right of self-determination, the Government of the United States crushed these aspirations with armed force. Every'American feels that these measures ,although harsh, were fully justified By the same tokens can we criticise Britain for taking the same identical .measures to preserve tile unity of her Empire? To the just man there is

but one answer. , . , The pro-Germans, the pro-Insn, am others not in any too great favour at present, are hammering away at the wed<m which is to split the cordiality and friendship which now exists between the Anglo-Saxon races. Jealousy .is their prime motive. United, the Eng-lish-speaking race rules the worlddivided, a clique of other nationalities might threaten this natural supremacy. Thinking Ai‘ ier > cans and Britishers alike feel this, and all strive to preserve this unity, cemented on the bloodsoaked battlefields of Europe, where British Tommies and American doughboys lie side by side in the last long

Every American word of sympathy for Sirin Fein is on insult to our dead in France. Has America forgotten that Sinn Fein was ready and eager to j ally herself with Germany, the pariah j of nations—that she was willing for the , satisfaction of a foolish personal grugde to sacrifice the safety and peace of the democratic world. When the leader of . this attempt mounted the scaffold at • Pentonville prison and dropped, into oblivion and a traitor’s grave, all true Americans felt that justice was done. I/et mo quote those immortal lines of Col. John McCrea, which adorned so ( many of our war posters: j “If ye break faith, we shall not ■ sleep.” I Sinn Fein conspired with the ene.m- t ies of the cause for which those gallant men,' British and Americans now sleep in Flanders Fields. If we support Sinn Fein, we are as truly breaking faith with them as if we had actively supported Germany in the war. For the peace of the world, Americans and British ; nvus? keep alivo the ties which now exist. We must respect each other’s rights, and keep hands off eabli other’s i domestic problems. As Americans who subscribe to the principles laid down in th o Monroe Doctrine, we are strong for the non-interference of European nations in American affairs; as Americns who stand for tho “Square Deal” let us do unto others as we would they should do unto us.—New York, October 1920. ,