He said, then, that the Sinn Feiners in the United
States represent "the worst elements of the Roman Catholic laity," and although their numbers, in his opinion, do not exceed five per cent. of the whole population and twenty per cent, of the adherents of the Roman Church, they exercise an extraordinary- power "by means of blackmail and intimidation." "The educated and respected laity of the Roman Church do not support the movement, yet they do not appear openly to condemn it." Mr. Fox pointed out that when the forces at work were properly appreciated it was possible to understand many facts which at present puzzle Englishmen. He referred, for example, to the resolutions in Congress and some of the State Legislatures in favour of Irish independence. These, he said, were "a disgrace" and were simply the product of political blackmail. All the better elements of American citizenship condemn them in the strongest way."
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