on the run. This he did and he stayed on the run for quite some time. After the war he was brought back and tried and, fortunately, he was acquitted; another courageous man was an attorney or lawyer was John T. Ryan of Buffalo who also had to go on the run in 1917 for his anti-Britishism and, consequently, he had to leave the country ending up in Germany where he made the acquaintance of Captain Spindler who brought the ship "Aud" to Ireland in 1916 and which he sank off in Cork Harbour in that year. Another great figure was a man from Co. Limerick St. John Gaffney, who was the Consul General of the American Government to Munich from 1910 on. But because of his anti-British attitude President Wilson had him recalled from that particular post, however, during his stay in Germany he became a very close friend of Sir Roger Casement and he thus received one of the very last letters Roger Casement wrote. That letter, too, or a copy of it is in the Dublin Public Library ight now. Mr. Gaffney also wrote a book entitled "Breaking The Silence” an accusation against the British Intelligence Service and their barbarous methods. So also did Gerry O'Leary publish another book, so also did (..? name not clear..?) of Chicago, another out standing American. I am just naming a few of the very, very many who were certainly wonderful supporters of the Irish-American cause in every respect. Val Down (?), formerly of Wexford, later of New Jersey, was mainly responsible for the help of [Belt No. 4 Page 3] to Michael Collins and Harry Boland in bringing Mr. DeValera to America and also to have him returned safely, in the early months of 1921, to Ireland. In this respect Downes was also greatly aided by a young lad, called Jimmy Humphries, who was a tremendous help to us in view of the fact that his accent carried great weight in many of the alibis. It was through the influence of these men that we were able to obtain the undivided support of many of the very important American Senators and American Congressmen. In addition, the support of very many very well-to-do Irish, and Irish Americans who subscribed substantially, financially to our cause. Others, whom I would like to mention as James A. Healy of New York and James Brendan O'Connolly of Galway extraction who was the first Olympic Champion who was also the author of some of the most famous Sea Stories of all times. His book called "Seaborne" was banned because of his attacks in it against Churchill and his attacks against England, and Jim had the great satisfaction of being in Ireland from 19 to 1921 (check here) taking part in everything that was Pro-Irish and Anti-British in every respect. His exposé on the sinking of the "Lusitania" was also published in his book "Seaborne" as also his condemnation of the then American Admiral, by the name of Admiral Simms, then stationed in London whom M Jim called .. “An American in the English Service". [Belt No. 5 Page 1] Late in 1933 or thereabouts Dr. Pat MacCartan and Liam Tobin arrived in New York. Pat MacCartan met Joe McGarrity and myself in a restaurant. At that particular time Joe McGarrity was, what one may term, at the end of the rope. He had tried several jobs without success, in the meantime his case had not been brought up and he was still under suspicion by the Stock Exchange. There and then Dr. MacCartan suggested that I would meet Tobin with a view to getting something worthwhile for Joe McGarrity. While I was refrained from doing this, Joe, for the first time since I knew him suggested that I do so. Then for the first time I realised how the poor man was really at the bottom of the well. Consequently, I went along and in a short space of time an agreement was made and inside a few weeks Joe found himself established to an Irish firm as a representative. He was so successful in that particular enterprise that he managed to pay of practically all his debts and during that time his case was reopened and he won it with complete exoneration plus a big financial settlement. It was once again a start on the road back for Joe and in this respect he behaved as ever; a gentleman to his fingertips who never forgot even the poorest possible relation or friend. His undaunted enthusiasm for the independence of the country still continued and his activities with the Clan na Gael carried him from time to time across the country. Whatever doubts he might have had or whatever optimism he might have shared in the 1932 elections, they were completely eliminated by the Coercion Acts of the Fianna Fail Government and the jailing of so many of his very, very good friends such as Moss Twomey, Tommy Barry, Jerry O'Connor, etc. Once again it was the old Joe, full of fire and enthusiasm who was trying to find every possible way or means of continuing the fight for complete independence of Ireland. Even to the extent of employing the newspaper reporter whom he kept company with continuously for the next two or three years. In his capacity as representative, he was also treated as counsel for the improvement in the finances of a lot of our members. In this respect he had counselled with me [Belt No. 5 Page 2] from the very start as to most deserving cases extending all the way from New York and to California. This
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