23 JULY 1910, Page 15

THE IRISH POINT OF VIEW.

LTO TRY EDITOR OF VIC " SPECTATOR...1

Srn,—I think the enclosed cutting from an Irish newspaper

would interest your readers.—I am, Sir, &c., Nuao.

"Galway, Friday. At the last meeting of the Ballinasloe No. 1 District Council, Mr. Patrick Larkin, T.P., presiding, Mr. A. M. Sullivan, K.C., who was one of the counsel who defended the Ciaughwell prisoners, wrote

beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of yesterday enclosing copy of a resolution of your Council. I am deeply obliged for the appreciation therein expressed ; but it is only with regret that I can recall the occasioa that gives rise to it. We, Irishmen, who hate tyranny, must perceive with shame the con- dition of abject slavery to which our countrymen around Craugh- well have been degraded by a domination of criminals while there go unpunished those who have soiled the name of our country by cowardly bloodshed. We, to whom her reputation is dear, can find even in the vindication of the innocent small reason for congratulation.

Mr Gill banded the letter to the Chairman, and from him it was passed on to the other members.

Mr. Cahill.—When I heard it read I thought it meant something quite different, but I will tell you now what you will do with it— fling it back to him.

Chairman.—These fellows write in such a way that the letters can be read any way one likes.

Mr. Finney.—I say there is nothing in it but what is right.

Mr. Cahill.—The policeman was shot by the men who did it for their own defence, and could you blame them ? It is the case that when a policeman or any enemy of the people is shot, it is a foul murder, and when a peasant is shot by any other one in defence of the rights of the people, it is not a murder at all.

Chairman.—There is nothing about the murder of Stenson.

Mr. Cahill.—You are after putting that into my mouth. Was that not bloodshed cruel and heartless by officials of the Government ?

Mr. Monaghan.—Indeed it was not, because it was one of the policemen that committed it. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Cahill.--I am very much pained and surprised to see one of the Sullivans write such a letter. Ho should be ashamed of him- self and ashamed of his profession. We will let him see in future, in case occasion arises for employing of counsel for cases in this

part of the county, that we will make sure that a man possessing such opinions of the Irish people will not be employed. (Hear, hear.) I say that letter is a slur on the people of Craughwell—a foul calumny that he cannot stand up and defend in any part of Ireland. Only for the quiet disposition of the Irish people—the peasants of Craughwell included—there would be bloodshed very often, considering the manner in which the people have been treated by the Government and by the landlords. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. Pinney.—I believe that that policeman's blood cries to Heaven for vengeance the same as if it was an evicted tenant that was shot, and, indeed, many of them wore shot. The people

around Craughwell will have every place robbed with the cost of extra police. Mr. Cahill.—And who is the cause of all the annoyance P Mr. Finney.—The landlords, certainly, and some of it by secret societies.

Chairman.—What order shall we make on it ? Will you send it back to him for an• explanation ? Mr. Cahill.—We repudiate his insinuations entirely. Chairman.—Do you all agree with this order :—' This Council repudiate your assertions regarding what you mention about the peasants of Craughwell, and strongly condemn your state- ments' ?

This order was agreed to."