[Belt - No. 10 Page 1] I pointed out that in the circulation of this particular document an entirely wrong impression would be given of the workings of the IRA, the Clan-na-Gael, and the Republican movement in general. The members of the Philadelphia Clan agreed and then and there decided not to circulate this particular document or confession. Its entire trend was like a Fairy Story except for the implications of the criminal acts carried out in the eyes of the public. Unfortunately, this document fell into the hands of various Government Agencies and, just as I expected, they came to the conclusion that the IRA and their operations in Ireland were far from being what any patriotic body should be. This led to a lot of questioning and at the time there were no means of rebuttal of any kind plus the fact that since the Clan-na-Gael in New York believed this document to be true - nothing further could be done about it. But it, certainly, gave a very bad impression of the Irish Republican Movement to the Government Agencies in America. It only proved again, the rapid decay of a once great organisation, namely the Clan-na-Gael. Even later, in a magazine, published in Dublin, called "The Bell" edited by Fr. Peader O'Donnell an article appeared dealing with the Dr. Cronin murders in Chicago, many, many years ago. Publication of this article had aroused a lot of hostility and unfriendliness among the many friends of America who regarded the said article as criminal and unjustified. As far as I remember it was a Judge by the name of Lennon (?) who was supposed to be the author of that article, but the editor of the magazine should have known better that ever to publish such an article. The result of this was that many [(Belt No. 10 - - Page 2] of ours immediately cancelled their subscription to 'The bell' never again either to renew it or, even, to ever read the magazine again. This, in turn resulted in the complete suspension of the magazine - it just folded in a very short time. That came magazine, had also published a written confession, by Stephen Hayes, in which he contradicted the “official document" (or, anyhow which was supposed to be official) and which we saw in the United States, and which ran into pages, and pages! During the War Sean McBride contacted me seeking support for possible execution (??) of a lad named Williams in Belfast. My friends and I did everything possible, sending a cable to Sean McBride telling him what we were trying to do with the result that in a very short space of time the local Naval Intelligence Unit in New York City interrogated me as to what we were doing, or what we tried to do, and what was the purpose. I explained to them, as best as I could, and they were very satisfied with my explanation. I did not hear from them anything further on that particular incident. Sad to relate, all our efforts were in vain because the young lad was subsequently executed by the British Authorities in Belfast. Prior to all this I was approached by the late Michael Quill who asked me if it were possible for him to appear before the Dais, the "Martin Dais”, a congressman from Texas, who hated, or was known as a Committee against Un-American Activities. Through help of Jim McGrannery and Congressman Martin McSweeney of Cleveland this was arranged with the result that Michael Quill appeared in Washington before the Committee. It was agreed between myself, and Quill and his [Belt -No. 10 Page 3] Staff, Jim McGrannery, and Martin Sweeney as to the questions we would like to point out, mainly, in connection the benefits which the members of the Trade Union (Transport) received in respect to Hospitalization, Pensions, extended holidays, increase in wages, etc. Unfortunately, the Committee never got to the point of having those questions even put before it before a big row was started and Michael Quill was forcibly ejected from the Committee room. Jim McGrannery and Martin Sweeney wore very sore about this because all over the country was splashed over the front pages of the newspapers a photograph of Quill being ejected. Both of these gentlemen felt that the entire incident was a Communistic plot and in the passing of time it showed all the evidence that their assumption was correct. I told all this to Michael Quill who I always felt, had been singled out as an unfortunate victim and an unwanted person. No doubt, it placed us into a very unenviable position. My friendship with Quill was one of very long standing. I had often visited and slept in his house in Co. Kerry during the Trouble Times and this friendship continued right up until the time that Michael passed on to a better life. Both of us worked very strenuously, at a certain time, in an effort to secure ways and means for transferring Sean Russell from the United States back to Ireland. In this capacity Quill had very many useful contacts with whom I discussed the matter in great detail. Several suggestions were made - but they were not accepted. I told Sean at that time that, if he did not go soon, I suggested that he would go and stay with friends of mine in the United States until the War was over. Matter of fact, we had already made provisions for that in case he was unable to leave [Belt No. 10 Page 4] the country. Shortly after, the ways and means were all successful for his leaving, he did so on a United States Ship which landed
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