THIS DAY IN 1918 IN THERECORD

Friday, June 7, 1918. A world war in which American and British troops fight side by side against the common Germany enemy is sure to change longstanding American attitudes toward the mother country, and a Record letter writer warns that it may change American attitudes about Ireland as well.

Ever since the American Revolution there’s been a strong strain of Anglophobia in American life. Hatred for Great Britain has been replenished by immigrants from Ireland who resent and in some cases resist Britain’s rule over their land.

With the U.S. and Britain on the same side, “some of the people are beginning to open their eyes,” writes a reader who signs himself, “A Cove From Cork.” He predicts that “by the time this war is over, there will be quite another kind of revolution in the mutual sentiments of Americans and Englishmen – a change for which Irishmen had better prepare.”

The commitment of Irishmen and Irish-Americans to the war effort has been questioned due to their historic animosity toward Britain. As Americans increasingly demand unconditional commitment to the war on the part of all citizens, the “Cove” warns that Irish attitudes must change.

“We will have to fall into line or bear the consequences, and, in the growing temper of the country, these are not likely to be light. If there be not a radical change of heart among Irishmen, it requires no philosopher to foresee the time when every returning soldier and sailor shall look askance at an Irishman and openly scoff when his imaginary wrongs are mentioned.” Irish people need to overcome their ancient grievances, the “Cove” advises. “I can only express my heartfelt wish that there may quickly come a change for the better in both their material and spiritual attitude – that they may see more clearly what is best; that they be not, like some foreign beggarman, for ever exposing the carefully preserved sores of their fathers of one hundred or more years ago.” Deputy Sheriffs Pass the Buck The Record misses the story, but the Sunday Budget about a melee that breaks out tonight in plain view of sheriff’s deputies outside the Rensselaer County jail at Ferry Street and Fifth Avenue. “A party of citizens, or friendly aliens, engaged in a fracas on the street,” the Budget reports, “Knives flashed in the rays of the arc light, and the sounds of voices were very fierce.” The deputies “proceeded to mend the neighborhood quiet” – by calling the Troy police while they “sought places were stray bullets might not lodge…. My sakes alive, what fearless fellows are badged and armed in defense of the County’s peace!”