IRISH REVOLT.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15603, 30 May 1916, Page 8

IRISH REVOLT.

e THE ROYAL COMMISSION

EVOLUTION OF SINN

FEINISM,

("Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services.) LONDON, May 28. Giving evidence before tho Royal Commission at Dublin, Colonel Sir Neville Chamberlain, In-spector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary, deposed that .the Sinn Fein movement commenced in 1905. It was moderate at the outset, but a council of extremists secured control, and freely circulated anti-English literature.. From the end of 1914 the Siun Feiners became closely associated with the Irish Volunteers. They found in Sir Roger Casement an agent who did mnch 'to strengthen co-operation with Germany. Witness became convinced that Germany was financing a disloyal organisation.

Major Price, Intelligence Officer at Irish Military Headquarters, stated that between August and November, 1914. about 900 rifles were sold by an English firm to tho Irish Volunteers. As a result of the propaganda the Army lost 50,000 recruits during six months. The Volunteers collected a fund of £20.000. The Sinn Feiners captured the Gaelic League, the Gaelic Athletic Association, and tho Volunteers. He was unable to trace the receipt of German money in Ireland, which came indirectly via New York.

The Secretary of the Dublin General Post Office stated that tho conduct of tho postal staff during the war was quite excellent. The staff numbered 17,000. and only 48 were regarded with suspicion, and some of these only slightly.

ARMED REBELS

MJtNY GERMAN RIFLES SEIZED

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright)

LONDON, May 28. A number of Gorman rifles were seized amongst the Irish rebels. Those seized in Wexford were mostly of German make. Connal, the rebel leader at Kilkenny, when arrested, surrendered a modern Lee-Enfield rifle. The police found in the houses of people stands of arms and bandoliers.