Two Copies of Draft Translated Typescript 'Report on the Conditions in Ireland

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Pontifical Irish College

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Hagan, John, 1873-1930

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Two copies of draft translated typescript 'Report on the Conditions in Ireland' by the American Commission on Irish Independence, quoted from the Manchester Guardian of 31 March 1921, with additional excerpts of the commentary in that paper. The report (over 7 pages) is a preliminary one. Sketching the setting- up of the Commission on the initiative of the Nation (New York); the [first] attempt at sending a delegation to Ireland thwarted by the British government; the delegation's raison d'être. Then illustrating the reign of 'terror' now held in Ireland through the presence of British troops, their indiscriminate acts of violence including murder, of destruction of houses and infrastructure, and all the aspects of martial law used arbitrarily against any suspects. Listing the categories of losses sustained by the British government, but also mentioning the diminution of respect towards the government of the Irish Republic by their commissioning assassinations. Vehemently condemning the government for its deployment of a force made up partially by boys and many ex-convicts, and for setting them up to kill, destroy and loot; likening the atrocities to those committed in Belgium by the German army. Sympathising with the British populace for the loss of British justice and civility and expressing respect for those political and private bodies and newspapers, like the Labour party and the Nation (London), for likewise investigating and publishing on the subject. As for religion, Catholics and Protestants live together in peace excepting in Ulster, where bigotism, however, is stirred up artificially by those who derive economic and political advantages from the situation. - Manchester Guardian commentary expresses the anger excited by the report, the propriety of protesting against such atrocities, and the call to prevent further such acts committed in their names. [post-31 March - c. April 1921]