IRISH SYMPATHY FOR FRANCE

New Zealand Tablet, 8 July 1915, Page 11

IRISH SYMPATHY FOR FRANCE

TOUCHING REPLY BY CARDINAL AMETTE. During the visit of the Irish deputation to Paris, an address, on behalf of the A.0.H., was presented to his Eminence Cardinal Amette, by Mr. Joseph Devlin, M.P. The address, after referring to the ties of affection which had always existed between Ireland and France, went on to say;' ‘ After centuries of misunderstanding and of conflict—military and diplomatic—between you and the British Empire, you and that Empire are now united in a great alliance for Justice and for Liberty. In the same way the concession which has been made to us by the Imperial Parliament of the fight of self-government has reconciled the masses of our people to the masses of the people of the Empire. The Entente Cordiale between France and Great Britain sees also at the same hour the Entente Cordiale between Ireland and the British Empire. If then, we no longer look to France for our liberty, we do not forget for that reason the innumerable proofs of assistance and sympathy which she gave us in the past. s ‘ By instinct and without hesitation we have felt that this war was imposed on France, perhaps the most pacific nation of the world, in the same spirit of cruel aggression and arrogance which inspired the annexation of Alsace and Lorraine. We understood as promptly as any Frenchman that the success of this new invasion would be the annihilation of the independence and greatness of France as well as of the integrity of her soil; and as Nationalists we could not hesitate for a moment to give to France our most loyal help in safeguarding her nationality.’

Ills Eminence replied as follows;‘I am profoundly touched by your action, and by the noble sentiments you have expressed. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I venture to say this on behalf, of all France, and especially on behalf of the Church in France, which I have the honor of representing in this capital. Ireland and France are united by sympathies which have existed for centuries which are indeed as ancient as their' history. The reasons of this sympathy are easy to understand. First of all, there is a certain resemblance in character, in the chivalrous spirit, generosity, and bravery, • which distinguish both countries. There is also, and above all, the identity of their religion. There is one thing which unites souls and nations more than a community of race or blood, more than, a community of interests, and that is the community of beliefs which exists between you and us. You are Catholic Ireland and we are Catholic France— The Eldest Daughter of the Church.

We like lo recall that the Apostle who evangelised your country —St. Patrick —was born in our old Armorica, and that he, was the disciple of two great French

Bishops, Martin of Tours and Germain of Auxerre. We, therefore, have a common ancestry in religion. Throughout the centuries our mutual goodwill has never ceased to be displayed, and especially in times of trouble. Is it not in such times that one recognises one’s real friends? When Ireland had to suffer in order to upi#old the purity of her Faith, France was her brother and succourer. In proof of this we have institutions still existing, such as the Irish Seminary, which we still maintain in Paris with affection and pride, where for centuries the sons of Ireland and the elite of the clerical youth have come to prepare themselves for the priesthood. And .when .France in her turn had her time of trial Ireland lent her a helping hand. You have recalled how, during the terrible war of 1870, Ireland, even in her poverty, was able to come to otTr rescue with her resources. The Deputy, M. Cochin, was then a young Frenchman who distinguished himself just as his sons have since done, one of whom recently fell on the field of honor. You have recalled how he went

after the war to bear witness -to you of the gratitude of France. He certainly did not forget the warm welcome extended to him on that occasion, and also to those who accompanied him. The memory of it still lives in his mind and in his heart, and now he is on the field of battle when Ireland and France are again united in defence of a common cause. It is not the first time a historian has written that in the course of centuries

700,000 Irishmen Have Shed Their Blood for France on all the battlefields of the world, and one

should not forget -that the distinguished leader who commands the British troops which came to the rescue of ruined Belgium and invaded France is a son of Ireland. Ireland boasts, if I am not mistaken, of having given birth to Field-Marshal French. Thus united to the past and the present we are strong in ofir confidence. Continuing, Cardinal Amette' said: You have described

the present war justly. You have shown that originally it is the outcome of the blow which tore from the sides of France her two provinces, Alsace and Lorraine, which have remained French, heart and soul. Neither you nor I wanted this war, nor did we seek to provoke it. The diplomatic documents published by your Government and ours prove with evidence clearer than daylight that this war, unjust in its origin, is pursued by our adversaries with a cruelty and a barbarity, and, I even venture to say, an impiety and sacrilege that I am grateful to you for having stigmatised. Because our cause is just, and because our enemy fights us with weapons which natural morality as well as Christian morality reproves, we may have invincible confidence in our final success. I thank you for having paid a tribute to the marvellous union which we call France a sacred union which the war created in one instant. You also said that in this, too, Ireland has emulated us. One has seen her sons, to whom England has just granted The Fulfilment of Their Freedom,

hasten loyally to join the British armies. In the same way, forgetting the differences of the past —and in many cases grievances only too well justified—the French rose like one man and took their places around those who had the perilous honor of holding aloft our flag. The clergy set an example of loyalty and devotion without complaint, and, with the permision of the Church, they submitted to the law which, contrary to the pledge of secular immunity, compelled them to do military service. Priests and Levites, almoners, stretcherbearers, and even combatants, all took their places in the ranks' of the army. All have done their duty with a courage which has often risen. Over 600 have fallen £ the field of honor, and in the opinion of their chiefs their influence has contributed not a little in maintain-

ing the morale of the troops. That which religion has just done for the country has not been lost in the cause of religion. Our priests in the army reawakened faith and prayer and led back many souls to God. We may

say with truth that to-day the French Army is not only an admirably courageous army, It is a Christian Army as a Whole, and that is not one of our least important motives for our confidence in victory. Without a doubt we have confidence in the strength and bravery of our troops and in those of our Allies. We have confidence in the ability, coolness, and firmness of our generals; but I venture to say that we have still more confidence in the help of Him Who sooner or lateryou know it well, you. Irishmen —assured the triumph of justice. Our enemy dares on all occasions vaunt the name of God. They declare that He is with them, but their acts contradict their words. God is not on the side of barbarity, injustice, cruelty, impiety, and sacrilege. God is with those who fight and suffer for right, justice, and liberty. And that is why the confidence which you expressed just now is also ours. We have the hope and certainty that we shall soon be able to sing together a Te I)turn of victory.’