IRISH NEWS

New Zealand Tablet, 29 September 1921, Page 35

IRISH NEWS

CATHOLIC IRELAND'S GLORIOUS FUTURE: ARCHBISHOP OF CASHEL ON THE OUTLOOK.

The Most Rev. Dr. Harty, addressing the quarterly meeting of the Tipperary Conferences of St. Vincent de Paul at Thurles, speaking from the religious viewpoint, said Ireland had passed through its Calvary, and their Easter Sunday was coming. He was sure that this Catholic resurrection would take place and the Holy Ghost would move Catholics to practise their faith openly, everywhere, and before everybody. There was about to take place in Ireland, said his Grace, another manifestation of the Catholic spirit spreading throughout the country in the coming Catholic Congress to be held in Dublin. It would be a congress in which laymen of the country would take a prominent part, and was a very great sign of the progress that laymen were making with their faith in the country.

IRISH PROTESTANT PRELATE'S ADVICE: "FORGIVE AND FORGET."

At Killala Diocesan Synod in Ballina-, Right Rev. Dr. Ross, Protestant Bishop of Tuam, Killala, and Achonry, said they were awaiting wjth eager expectation the outcome of the conversations between Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. de Valera. They were filled with hope that at last a way was about to be found of ending the terrible conditions in which their countrymen had been .plunged.

The, truce, which has been so well observed, was in itself of very great value. They were most thankful for the sudden relief, the joyful change of temper and atmosphere, which it had everywhere produced.

"But it may do more," Dr. Ross proceeded. "It is almost impossible to believe that, having experienced this wonderful relief, the return to the blessings of peace and security, we can fall back into the horror of violence from which we have emerged."

Terms of settlement were, of course, necessary, but they were not enough. They should desire and pray for a spirit of conciliation, placability, and sweet reasonableness on . all sides. To forgive and forget was absolutely necessary to any real settlement of our troubles. All parties must make up their minds deliberately to cultivate that temp el-

It was impossible that the settlement, when it comes, should please everyone. Some interests, some individuals, were bound to be adversely affected. Many of them were at an age when changes were unwelcome; but they must be prepared to make sacrifices in the interests of peace. Bitterness, intrasigeance, the nursing of grievances, must be allowed no place. Patriotism and- Christian feeling alike demanded that they should help the situation of the moment by showing that they were ready to accept and make the best of any terms upon which the leaders agreed.

EXILES SEND GREETINGS.

The following cablegrams have been received by President de Valera in London (says the Weekly Freeman, Dublin, for July 30):

Hearts of Millions. —"At the parting of the ways, all hail emancipator of our race. We know God is within the shadow keeping watch. All our race send greetings. Behind you are the hearts of millions.Otago and Southland Self-Determination for Ireland League."

Ireland's Rights.—"We Australian returned soldiers and sailors view with satisfaction your efforts to secure Ireland's rights. Empire soldiers fought and died for the freedom of small nations. Wish success. —Catholic Soldiers' Association, Sydney."

Hopes for Success. —"New Zealand Self-Determination for Ireland League, Wellington Provincial Council, sends •congratulations and hopes for success of cause." ■ ■/*??: ";'■'■

Christchurch, New Zealand. —Convention 20 branches of Self-Determination League, closely watching Irish posi-

tion, heartily congratulate you on achievement and assures you of our support. Cabled Smuts congratulations New York" Prospect Council, American Association for Recognition of Irish Republic, unanimously resolved to support you and Dail Eireann in negotiations pending for recognition of Irish Republic." • Glasgow—" The Irish people of Scotland wish you success in deliberations, and assure you of their steadfast support in securing recognition of our Irish Republic, and pledge unbending determination to endure all that may still be necessary."— behalf of S. F. Executive, Scotland. Johannesburg.—Republican associations' congratulations on truce; National Women's Party resolutions support; 19 meetings enthusiastic; resolutions, 8. African citizens demand withdrawal British army occupation from Ireland, and recognition Irish Republic on principle selfdetermination, for which so many lives sacrificed. Passed, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Bloomfontein, Kimberly, Grugersdorp, Kogjes Vredefort, Parys, Heilbron, Standerton, Ermele, Witbank, Lydenburg, Bononi, Roodepoort, Genmiston, Klerksdorp.

on his visit to Ireland. Kansas City.—Commodore Jack Barry, John Mitchell Branches, Friends of Irish. Freedom, send following resolutions: "America is Republic because our fearless leader 'rejected King George's offer of compromise." Detroit. Auxiliary of Hibernians in convention assembled send greetings, congratulations. Pledge you and Dail Eireann support.

A message in similar terms has been received by Aid. Mrs. O'Donovan, Deputy Mayor of Limerick.

BANK DIRECTOR ON PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.

Mr. Alfred R. McMullan presided at the 71st ordinary general meeting of the Munster and Leinster Bank. The chairman, referring to the peace negotiations, said all Ireland was watching them with tense anxiety, and expressed the hope that they would have a happy outcome.

With the exercise of good-will, good sense, and" patriotism, it was not too much to expect the settlement, acceptable to all parties, would result. An era of progress and prosperity of the country was bound to follow.

PROTESTANT CLERGYMEN ADVOCATE SELFDETERMINATION.

It is but right that we should pay a tribute to Protestant clergymen, of whatever rank, for their hostility to the Government's brutal policy in Ireland (writes the London Catholic Times).

Almost without exception, though differing in creed from the bulk of the Irish people, they have recognised that the inhuman oppression to which the Irish have been subjected is contrary to Christian principles and that they are justified as a distinct nation in demanding the right of self-determination. In adopting this attitude many of them have had to set themselves free from political trammels, and that they have done so is clear evidence of their appreciation of honor and honesty in public life. As an instance of their outspoken and fearless advocacy of the Irish cause, we may quote the words used at Pembroke Chapel, Liverpool, on a recent Sunday night, by the Rev. J. Vint Laughland. Speaking of the present situation in Ireland, he said: "The restoration of peace in that stricken country could come only with the restoration of Ireland to the Irish. It was not, and never had been, a question of religious differences, but of the right of the Irish people to self-determination. The record of England's oppression of that country was of itself sufficient justification for Ireland's demand for complete separation. Since the 12th century England had hounded the Irish people to desperation in the base attempt to annihilate Irish nationalism, but, far from succeeding, she had but strengthened and intensified it. The British public, who were not directly

responsible, had to suffer ignominy in the eyes not only of the Irish people, but of the whole civilised world." A resolution strongly condemning the Government's "crim-

inal policy" was adopted for translation to the Prime Minister, and an appeal was made to all the Christian Churches of the country to press similar resolutions upon him. Ireland, in her hours of trial, has had many sterling

friends, but none better than the .ministers of religion.