IRISH NEWS

New Zealand Tablet, 6 October 1921, Page 35

IRISH NEWS

MR. DEVLIN'S BELIEF.

Mr. Joseph Devlin, speaking in Dublin, referred to the Irish question. He said that, so far as he was concerned, he thought they were on the eve of peace in Ireland. Peace, as they knew, was the corner stone of prosperity, industry, and trade, for-jmless they had a peaceful country trade could not prosper. That peace, he trusted, would be a peace not only for those in the South and West of Ireland, but for them in Ulster. Though a violent fighter and a vigilant custodian of the interests for which he stood, it would be his earnest desire and hope and unchanging resolve to bring North and South together. It was, he thought, one of the greatest superstitions that could possibly exist that, because they in the North were rather different from those in the South, that was a reason why they should be permanently divided. He always argued that with a combination of the different qualities of the people of the North and South they could constitute the best material for the making of a great nation. That was his view still, and with the hard business qualities of those in the North combined with the finer qualities of the people of the South, and with all working in a unison of ideas, and in a great spirit of national ambition, he ihought they could build up one of the most prosperous and most enduring communities in all the World.

DEATH OF A PROMINENT IRISHMAN.

There recently died at his home, Asdee, Co. Kerry, Ireland, Patrick O'Connor, for 35 years Principal of Ballylongford Boys' School, father of Rev. P. J. O'Connor, diocese of St. Paul, and of Rev. J. P. O'Connor, diocese of Buffalo, U.S.A.; uncle of Rev. J. J. O'Connor, diocese of St. Paul, and Rev. J. P. O'Connor, Addington, Christchurch.—

n BLESSED OLIVER PLUNKET AND THE TRUCE. By a curious coincidence, which most certainly was not

foreseen by the English politicians, the opening of the Truce between the Crown forces and the I.R.A. synchronised with the first observance of the festival of the newly beatified Blessed Oliver Plunket. In Dublin, at all events, this coincidence was not lost sight of, and in most of the Catholic churches of the city the preachers intimated that the Masses in honor of Blessed Oliver would be offered for the intention of an honorable and lasting peace. It thus happened, then, that the first celebration of the Martyr's festival, since he has been raised, to the rank of Beatus, was ushered in, if not by peace, at least by a, truce and the cessation of bloodshed.

At almost every church in Dublin this side of the incident was remarked on from the pulpits, and it found a further expression in a letter to the press from Dr. J. P. Dunne, vice-president of the Blessed Oliver Plunket Association.

•N "It is a remarkable coincidence (Dr. Dunne said) that the truce terms between the representatives of the Irish nation and the Government of Great Britain comes into operation on the new festival instituted by Pope Benedict in commemoration of the martyrdom of the great Primate of Armagh.

Drogheda has honored his memory two weeks since. London honors his memory to-day. May I hdpe that an effort may be made by some of our Dublin churches to honor his memory by special services.

The prayers of the Irish martyrs have the greatest power at the Throne of the Lamb. As July, 1681, is now enshrined in the altar calendar of the Catholic Church, so we hope shall July, 1921, be rememberd with joy by the annalists of Erin.'.' '•'■ '

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A REVEREND CHAMPION OF "ULSTER" IN AMERICA: SCATHING EXPOSURE OF A :; HYPOCRITE.

Rev. David Duncan Irvine 7 , pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Morris Park, was denied citizenship of the U.S.A., at Long Island city, on the grounds of character. . . , : ;\.:-.. : .-»■;«..'-,••.

This clergyman, who was formerly in Bangor, has been 13 years in U.S.A., where he devoted all his energies to anti-Catholic and anti-Irish propaganda work. He was the official manager of the Coote anti-Irish tour, and in that capacity got a great deal of prominence.

Latterly, with a view to strengthening his hand, he applied for American citizenship. This step proved his undoing. When the application came before the Supreme Court of Long Island city, neither Irvine nor his witnesses put in an appearance. His absence was accounted for in a statement by the chief naturalisation officer of New York that applicant had made to him a confession of his misdeeds. The officer requested the denial of Irvine's petition, and recommended that he be enjoined from making any further application for five years.

The officer produced affidavits of several women, members of various congregations of which Irvine had been in charge, who asserted they were victims of his misconduct. Justice Fawcett declared that Irvine would never again be permitted to renew his application for citizenship. He complimented the naturalisation officer on his thorough and painstaking investigation. The results were astounding, because it was inconceivable that an applicant could be expected to be admitted to this great country with such a record as that brought forth. He is a hypocrite, and such a man should forthwith be unfrocked.

District-Attorney Collins, for the Department of Justice, said everything possible will 1 be done to see that Irvine is deported.

"BLACK AND SCUM": WHAT THE SOLDIERS IN IRELAND THINK OF TUDOR'S MEN.

A sergeant of the British army in Ireland writes to the London Daily News:

"I am no Sinn Feiner, or even an Irishman, but there have been times during the past 12 months in Ireland when I have felt ashamed to call myself a soldier.

"Some short time ago I and others stood upon a hill overlooking a certain village in Ireland, ,and heard the screams of women and children down in the valley. ' The Black and Scums' —a military term —were doing their turn and, believe me, had we had any shooting to do that night other bullets besides my own would have found a billet in some of the dirty 'Black and Scum.' The only thing I can compare it to is the ' Reign of Terror ' under Robespierre. " )

"If the thinking people in England only knew the true facts (not Greenwood's facts) I am sure there would be a change for the better. As an old ' Contemptible ' I faced the Germans for four and a half years; but I object to the dirty work that is expected from us in Ireland, so I look forward to the early day when I shall again become

man."

MR. DE VALERA AND THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY.

A meeting of the Committee of Convocation of the National University of Ireland was held to deal with nominations for the Chancellorship of the University, rendered vacant by the deathof the late Most Rev. Dr. Walsh, Archbishop of Dublin.

ft The Chairman, L}r. M. F. Cox, announced that only Mr. Eamon de Valera had been nominated, and he was unanimously declared elected.

Steps were taken to communicate the fact to Mr. de Valera.

A sub-committee was appointed to arrange for a public academic reception of the new Chancellor, at a date to be fixed by him.

Telegraphing bis thanks to the Committee of Convocation of the National University of Ireland for his election to the Chancellorship of the University, Mr. "de Valera said ' ,

"I thank you for your telegram, and would like to express through you to Convocation my appreciation."

"The conferring of this honor on the Head of the State indicates the path Ireland desires to tread. "Please God, she will soon march along it, free to render once more her ancient service in the cause of civilisa-

tion."