2. That peoples, the vast majority of whom are devoted to the principles of free governments such as our own, could be forced under the rule of monarchies or military autocracies. 3. That the signatories, including our country, would be bound, after the adoption of article 10, to prevent the giving of aid by outside advocates of liberty to oppressed nations, which practice has obtained among civilized peoples from time immemorial. 4. That the powerful signatories, including our country, might eventually be compelled to wage war, for the preservation of "territorial integrity." no matter how unjust and oppressive in any part of the world. In view of the refusal to give the representatives of the Irish people a hearing in Paris, and without consulting with them upon this particular subject, may we not offer the suggestions following, which might apply to the case of Ireland and other nations under like disabilities and similarly situated: First. Before final adoption of article 10 that a full and open hearing before the committee of four of the great powers at the peace conference be accorded to any nation or people, in order that they may present any questions of fact which they may desire to submit to prove their own territorial integrity, or to dispute the claim of any nation claiming territory to which it is not entitled, or is, at the time of the signing thereof, attempting to acquire or hold by force of arms. Second. That in any event article 10 of the covenant of the league of nations should be amended so as to read: "The members of the league undertake to respect and preserve as against external aggression the territorial integrity and existing political independence of all members of the league. In case of any such aggression or in case of any threat or danger of such aggression the council shall advise upon the means by which this obligation shall be fulfilled: Provided, however, That the territorial boundaries of no country at the signing of the covenant shall be deemed to include any other country or nation the boundaries of which are natural ones, or clearly defined, inhabited by a homogeneous people, a majority of whom by a vote of its electorate has determined the form of government under which they desire to live, and whose efforts to establish the same and function thereunder are at the time of the signing hereof prevented by an army of occupation or other form of forcible repression." With assurances of our continued high regard, we remain, Sincerely, AMERICAN COMMISSION ON IRISH INDEPENDENCE, By FRANK P. WALSH, Chairman. (Copies of the above letter and cablegrams sent to Messrs. House, White, Bliss, and Lansing.) AMERICAN COMMISSION TO NEGOTIATE PEACE, MY DEAR MR. WALSH: I am writing on behalf of the President to acknowledge receipt of your letter of May 17 inclosing a copy of your letter to the Secretary of State of May 27. Sincerely, yours, Hon. FRANK P. WALSH, Grand Hotel, Paris. GILBERT F. CLOSE, Confidential Secretary to the President. AMERICAN COMMISSION TO NEGOTIATE PEACE, DEAR MR. WALSH: Thank you for your note of May 27 inclosing for my information a copy of your recent correspondence with the Secretary of State regarding the issuance of safe conducts for Messrs. de Valera, Griffith, and Count Plunkett. Cordially, yours, Mr. FRANK P. WALSH, E. M. HOUSE. Chairman, American Commission on Irish Independence, Grand Hotel, Paris. AMERICAN COMMISSION ON IRISH INDEPENDENCE, DEAR SIR: As representatives of the Irish race convention held in the city of Philadelphia on February 22, 1919, we respectfully request an opportunity of appearing before the members of the American Commission to Negotiate Peace at as early a moment as may be convenient and meet with the pleasure of the commissioners plenipotentiary. With assurances of our respect and high regard, we are, Sincerely, Mr. J. C. GREW, FRANK P. WALSH, E. F. DUNNE Secretary to the American Commission to Negotiate Peace, Paris. AMERICAN COMMISSION ON IRISH INDEPENDENCE, Paris, May 29, 1919. DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: We inclose you herewith copy of letter this day addressed to the secretary of the American Commission to Negotiate Peace. We were informed by Col. House that daily meetings of the commissioners plenipotentiary are held at the Hotel Crillon, and he was good enough to say that he would be glad to attend at any time an opportunity was given us for a hearing. We called at the headquarters of the commission at their regular meeting hour this morning, but their meeting had adjourned. Mr. Secretary of State Lansing therefore suggested to us, through his private secretary, that we make this request through the secretary of the commission. We wish you to be assured that we will occupy but a brief space of time, and indulge the hope that you may accord us this hearing at as early a moment as will meet with your pleasure and convenience, considering your other important duties. With assurances of our great respect, we are, The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, Paris. FRANK P. WALSH. (Letters of similar purport were sent to Messrs. Lansing, White, House, and Bliss.) AMERICAN COMMISSION ON IRISH INDEPENDENCE, Paris, May 31, 1919. DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: We beg to advise you that, in pursuance of the commission given us by the Irish race convention held in the city of Philadelphia on February 22, 1919, and following our letter to you of April 16, 1919, every effort has been made to obtain a hearing for the delegates selected by the people of Ireland to represent them at the peace conference. Our information is that the government of Great Britain has definitely denied safe conducts to these representatives, and hence they can not appear before the peace conference or any committee thereof. The resolutions and instructions under which we are acting provide that, if opportunity be not given the regularly chosen representatives of Ireland, we should ourselves present her case; her insistence upon her right of self-determination; and to international recognition of the republican form of government established by her people. We therefore petition you to use your good offices to secure a hearing for us before the special committee of the four great powers, so that we may discharge the duty imposed upon us by our convention. In order to avoid misunderstanding we desire to state, and would thank you to convey the information to the other members of your committee, that we do not hold, or claim to have, any commission or authority from the people of Ireland or their representatives; but desire solely and respectfully to present the resolutions of the American convention with a brief argument in support thereof. May we also point out that while the convention which we represent was unofficial, and while we claim no official authority in the governmental sense, nevertheless, it was a convention composed of 5,132 delegates; democratically selected, representing every State in the American Union; and the individuals who composed it may fairly be said to have been men and women of all shades of political opinion, of all religious sects, and of practically every trade, profession, and avocation which go to make up our national life. We think it is likewise fair to state that this convention acted for many millions of our fellow-citizens, who, in this representative way, respectfully urge you to give favorable response to the request of this petition. We will deeply appreciate it if you will be good enough to give us an early reply to this letter, as the matter of our departure for home is pressing us. With considerations of our continued great respect and esteem, we are, Sincerely, FRANK P. WALSH, Chairman, Paris. To the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AMERICAN COMMISSION TO NEGOTIATE PEACE, GENTLEMEN: I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of May 29, requesting, as representatives of the Irish race convention held in the city of Philadelphia on February 22, 1919, an opportunity of appearing before the members of the American Commission to Negotiate Peace at as early a moment as may be convenient and meet with the pleasure of the commissioners plenipotentiary. The commission is led to believe that your object in requesting to be received is to ask its good offices to obtain a hearing before the peace conference of representatives of the so-called "Irish republic." On the basis of this understanding, I am instructed by the American commissioners to express to you their regrets that they are unable to comply with your request, for the reason that it is not within the province of the American delegation to request the peace conference to receive a delegation composed of citizens of a country other than our own, when that country is officially represented at the conference, in regard to a matter having no relation whatever to the making of peace with Germany and Austria. With assurance of respect, I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, Messrs. FRANK P. WALSH and E. F. DUNNE, AMERICAN COMMISSION TO NEGOTIATE PEACE, MY DEAR MR. WALSH: I am writing on behalf of the President to acknowledge receipt of your letter of May 28 with the inclosed telegrams and to say that I am bringing them to the President's attention. MY DEAR MR. CLOSE: I am handing you herewith letter for delivery to the President, which is quite urgent as to time. Would appreciate it deeply if you would get it to his hand at the earliest opportunity. Thanking you for all of your kindnesses, I am, In requesting an opportunity of appearing Neztiate Peace was not to ask its good re the feare conference of representatives of the letter the commission has been led to besaj prehension, we respectfully submit the that the Gement of Great Britain has definitely se representatives, and hence they can not appear eyemittee thereof. sts of the Irish race convention, under which if opportunity be not given the regularly chosen west ourselves present her case; her insistence Terminato and to international recognition of the ment established by her people. teams. c further that we do not hold, or claim C te any from the people of Ireland or their I rang before the commission solely and reet the rest of the American convention with a brief ཀ ་ but that while we claim no official status in the governs were the representatives of a convention composed lly selected, representing every State in the viduals who composed it may fairly be said to are of all shades of political opinion, of all religious My every trade, profession, and avocation which go to Lea.se fair to state that this convention acted for many milor others who in this representative way respectfully urge a to grant us a full hearing. e new car request, and trust that the commission may see its time, at its pleasure and convenience, when we may annear Awaiting the favor of an early reply, and with assurances respect. we are. Sincerely, Mr. J. C. GREW, Secretary General American Commission AMERICAN COMMISSI DEAR Mr. PRESIDENT: We have the hono conditions in Ireland with demand for inve On account of the serious and critical sit Jeg that you will be good enough to give this document your careful considerstion, and also to present the same to the full peace conference or to the com mittee of the five great powers, whichever may be the proper course under the practice of the conference. With assurances of our great respect and esteem, we are, Sincerely, AMERICAN COMMISSION ON IRISH INDEPENDENCE E. F. DUNNE. The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, Paris. AMERICAN COMMISSION ON IRISH INDEPENDENCE, SIR: Complying with you request of May 1, 1919, made through Sir William Wiseman and assented to by Messrs. Sean T. O'Ceallaigh and George Gavan Duffy, the representatives at Paris of the Irish republican government, that we visit every part of Ireland, and especially Belfast, to ascertain the actual conditions existing in that country. We have the honor to inform you that we have, except where prevented by the use of military forces of the English army of occupation, visited the four Provinces of Ireland, including Belfast, as well as the other principal cities and towns. We have prepared a report covering the facts, with certain recommendations In order that the Government of Great Britain may be informed, we herewith hand you copy of this report, which, in addition to the presentation of facts, contains a demand for an investigation under the authority of the peace conference. We also wish to advise your Government that the original of this document has this day been handed to the President of the United States and that copies have been transmitted to the House of Representatives and the Senate of the United States through the Secretary of State. |