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Show A CALL TO THE IBISH.1 . Chicago, Ills:, Jan. 11, 1000. The Officers and Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America. Gentlemen and Brothers: When in. the ranks of an organization a strong sentiment senti-ment in favor of any cause is recognized to exist, it behooves the officers of that body to give consideration to the opinions of the membership and act in accordance with the wishes of the majority. The national na-tional officers of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Hi-bernians .in America have received" from the majority of the states of the Union in Which rhe orfeiUiiaatron exists ma.n- suggestions sug-gestions that it would be well for the Ancient Order of Hibernians to give practical prac-tical demonstration of -their sympathy with the Boers of South Africa in their i struggle for liberty. In response to the expressed Interest of the state and county officers a meeting of the national officers and board of dl-f dl-f rectors was convened on Jan. 7, 1900. in the city of Washington, D. C, to consider I the subject. After due deliberation on the subject, considering that the opponent of the I Soufh African republic is the hereditary j enemy of the Irish race and this is an opportunity op-portunity to assist a people struggling for States, the national officers believed it would be proper to call for voluntary contributions con-tributions for that cause from the divisions divi-sions and membership of the order at large and their friends outside the ranks. ' In view of the fact that the neutrality laws of the United States would interfere with any plans to send armed assistance to help the Boers In the field, the only form of practical aid which could be rendered ren-dered is such as may be included under the head of medical supplies or equipment of an ambulance corps. From Information received, the patriots of South Africa are in need of medical supplies, and all contributions con-tributions of that character would be welcomed wel-comed and could be given without causing caus-ing entanglement with the authorities of the United States. Therefore, anxious to. indicate In a marked manner that we believe we should seize every honest opportunity to assist the enemies of England, we call j upon the membership and divisions of the order, and through them on their friends, to contribute any amounts their circumstances circum-stances may permit towards the creation of a fund, which will be used for the purchase pur-chase of medical supplies and .equipment of ambulance corps, to be senfto the Transvall to aid the gallant Boers in their struggle for liberty. We recommend that wherever practicable, public meetings should be held for the purpose of expressing express-ing sympathy with the Boers .and collecting collect-ing funds for their aid. We also recommend recom-mend that every possible means should be utilized by the members of the' order and their friends to influence the United States senators and congressional representatives repre-sentatives to defeat any attempt that is made to have a secret or public treaty or understanding between Great Britain and the United States. The progress of the war encourages thp belief that it may cause for England the difficulty which could be Ireland's opportunity. oppor-tunity. The military resources of England Eng-land are almost exhausted, and the Boers have proved their ability to defeat the best efforts of every general sent to the front. A few more Boer victories and Britain will be compelled to withdraw and sink to the level of a third-rate power among the nations of the earth. The hope of so glorious a result should elicit the bost efforts of every liberty-loving Hibernian. Hiber-nian. The moneys mu3t be collected with all possible expedition and forwarded by the divisions direct to the national treasurer P. T. Moran. 1025 Twenty-sixth street. N. W.. Washington. D. C. who will deoosit the same in bank. The national treasurer P. T. Moran of Washington.- P. J. O'Connor O'Con-nor of Georgia and E. J. Slettery of Massachusetts, Mas-sachusetts, will be trustees of the fund, sign checks jointly and disburse same, under the instruction of the national officers. of-ficers. All money must be fouwarded on'y by chock, postoffice order or express order. State officers and county presidents will immediatejy on receipt of this official circular cir-cular request prompt returns to the national na-tional treasurer from the divisions, and hasten collection by every means in their power. To render efficient aid. quick response is necessary, and donations should reach the national treasurer as soon as possible. L'sts will close in s"xty days from date of this circular. Faithfully and fraternally yours, JOHN T. KEATING, . National President JAMES E. DOLMAN " National Vice President JAMFS O'SULLIVAN, National Secretary. P. T. MORAN. National Treasurer P. J. O'Connor, E. J. Slattery. Patrick O'Netill. Rev. M. J. Byrne, National Directors. Di-rectors. State secretaries will forward these circulars cir-culars immediately to county presidents Who will place them in the hands of division divi-sion officers at the earliest, possible moment. mo-ment. The call shows 102.000 members of the national order, and it Is anticipated that several millions will be raised in a short time. |