SINN FEIN ROUND-UP.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 126, 28 May 1918, Page 6

SINN FEIN ROUND-UP.

VIRTILENT NATIONALISTS. LONDON, May 27. At Dublin, Mr William O'Brien (Independent Nationalist member for Cork), commenting on the Government's statement of evidence against the Sinn Fein, said that since the "Popish plot" there had been nothing more disgraceful to English statecraft. The Irish people would rend Mr Lloyd George's story with the same mingled indignation and contempt as they read the forged letters published by the authors of "l'arnelliam and Crime." A similar reaction as then occurred was sure to follow. The fact that the traitors were punished by internment was a sufficient commentary upon the rubbish, showing it to be an attempt by foul moans to break the anticonscription movement. The German plots would turn out even grosser than the extension of conscription to Ireland. A sensation has been caused by the action of the Tipperary police in detaining an Austrian subject, Mademoiselle Bruns, secretary to Major Edwardes. a racehorse owner. Mr Joseph Devlin, in a speech at Dun, gannon, asked why the war continued. Both sides said they did not want annexations or indemnities. Both claimed to be the champions of small nationalities and the liberty of civilisation. If Germany was willing to negotiate it would be a crime to prolong the war by a single day.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) MB DIIXOK'S ATTITUDE. DECLARATION NOT ACCEPTED. (Received 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, May 27. An urgent meeting of the Nationalistparty will be held in Dublin on Thursday. Mr John Dillon, addressing the Nationalist Conference at Bailleborough, strongly condemned the arrests and the ofiieial statements concerning them. Mr Lloyd George was greatly mistaken if lip I thought his declaration would be accepted lin Ireland or by fair-minded people anywhere. Mr Dillon asked if the Government really expected Ireland or the j liberty-loving section of the British , people to believe that the Government would withhold evidence if it established J Sinn Fein's treasonable communication , with the enemy. Mr Dillon added that united Irish opposition to conscription had caused the Government to modify its attitude. Mr Dillon added that the Sinn Fein played into the Government's hands. It was more concerned in destroying the Irish party than in fighting for Irish liberties. The conference -selected a I Nationalist to contest East Ca'vnn instead 'of Griffith, the interned Sinn Feiner. Mr Dillon, congratulating the conference, said that the whole world would notice the decision. He disapproved of Griffith's arrest, but rap 7nore tiinn ever satisfied jof the folly of Griffith's policy. There I are no indications that the Sinn Fein will withdrow Griffith's nomination. The I Nationalists are nominating C. Hanlon. I Tile deportation from Dublin of 4:50 Austrian and German civilian internees occasioned sympathetic Sinn Fein demonstrations.—(A. and N.Z. Cable) The "Popish plot" above referred to arose in ISSO, in which year a Papal Brief from Kome arrived in England, directing the English Catholic "Vicars Apostolic" who were bishops to assume the true titles of their sees, as Bishop of Hexham, Bishop of Birmingham, and so forth j and, further, appointing Dr. Wiseman a Cardinal and first Archbishop ;of Westminster. At once all over Great Britain and Ireland there arose a "No Popery" cry. Effigies of the Pope, Dr. Wiseman, and the Virgin Mary were burned. Lord John Russell, on November 4, eve of the "Gunpowder Plot," gave out in the newspapers the outline of his famous "Ecclesiastical Titles Bill," Which made it penal tr> introduce into the country "any document or rescript i from Rome." A penalty of £100 was imposed on any bishop claiming a See under authority from the Pope. Before the bill was passed, Lord Russell's Government was deposed. The Conservatives, however, so great was the ferment in the country, took up the bill and passed it with great majorities. Archbishop \V. Hale, of Tuam. thereupon openly defied the Ecclesiastical Titles Act, and from the pulpit read the Papal | Rescript, inviting any member of his con-1 gregation to enrn f 100 by informing upon j him (the archbishop). This spirit was adopted generally by the Cathojie bishops, and the Act became a dead letter, and in no instance was it enforced.