IRISH REVOLT.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15604, 31 May 1916, Page 8

IRISH REVOLT.

THE ROYAL COMMISSION — t CAUSES OF THE RISING. DEPLORABLE GOVERNMENT WEAKNESS. (By Cable. —Press Association. —Copyright.) LONDON, May 29. At the enquiry into the Irish revolt, Sir John Ross, ex-Chiei Commissioner of Dublin Police, condemned the lapsing of the Arms Act in 1916. This > extraordinary step was the forerunner ot trouble, it was like bringing a candle into a powder magazine. Another weak proceeding was in connexion with tne Dublin strikers in 1913, when the Government acceded to the Corporation's demand for an enquiry into the police action against the rioters. Sir John Ross submitted a minute to the Go- j veminent to the effect that as soon as - drilling by the disaffected sections began "he made repeated requests for j instructions to take action before the movement became stronger. He was merely told to keep the men under observation- The witness considered = the landings of arms at Larne and Howth were different. The former was ; done secretly, the Government's au- ' thority not being defied openly. The ' mob at Howth, on July 2oth, 1914, , overpowered the police and defied their authority. The suspension of Mr W- V. Harrel, Assistant-Commissioner of Police, for his action at Howth, wasexi ceedingly grave. He was an efficient,

impartial, and able servant. The ness said lie resigned as a protest. He added that Mr Han-el's suspension, destroyed the confidence of the civil servants in their superiors, as they believed that the latter were at the mercy of politicians who would betray them when it suited them. The disafiected persons also knew that they could arm, and manoeuvre, and. preach sedition uttimpeded amid the distraction of th© war. Mr Han-el's removal was an essential cause of the revolution.

Mr Harrel in giving evidence, attributed, the rebellion to four causes—the existence of an anti-British party, the repeal of the Peace Preservation Act, the failure to enforce the law during Larkin's movement, and the Howth affair.

Sir Maurice O'Connell said Kerry had swarmed with German agents. Lody (the German spy who was shot at the Tower of London) was arrested in a Killarney hotel of which a German was manager, and in which German understudies were employed as waiters until April, 1916.

CASE OE TWO PRIESTS. GENERAL MAXWELL AND BISHOP OP LIMERICK. LONDON, May 29. The newspapers publish correspondence between Sir John Maxwell and Dr. O'Dwyer, Bishop of Limerick for thirty years, who was described by Mr Birrell as a very clever man and an enemy to the Nationalist Party. Sir John Maxwell asked Dr. O'Dwyer to remove two priests in his diocese on the ground that their presence was a menace to the peace and safety of the realm, adding that if they had been laymen he would have arrested them. Dr. O'Dwyer requested evidence to justify the proposed action. Sir' John Maxwell gave particulars regarding the priests opposing conscription and assisting the Irish Volunteers. Dr. O'Dwyer, replying, denied that the evidence warranted disciplinary action. The priests had not violated civil or ecclesiastical law. He addfed that he regarded Sir John Maxwell's action in shooting the Dublin rebels with horror. The deportations -were an abuse of power, as fatuous as it was .arbitrarv. "Your regime," he said, "has been one of the worst and blackest chapters of Irish government."

DEVASTATED DUBLIN". j A CATHEDRAL PROJECT. LONDON, May 29. Dr. "Walsh, Archbishop of Dublin, suggests the possibility of •building a cathedral on one of the devastated areas of Dublin. He is confident that the Irish in America and Australasia will render abundant help. ADMINISTRATION OF IRELAND MB LLOYD GEORGE'S NEGOTIATIONS. (Received May 30th, 8.40 p.m.) LONDON. May 30. The "Daily News" says Mr Lloyd George is continuing his negotiations for a settlement of the Irish problem. The Ulster Party is adopting a conciliatory attitude. Mr Lloyd George is anxious not to make a statement before tho adjournment of Parliament. The Nationalists, however, think it essential that he I shall definitely state whether a basis of | agreement exists; if not, it will b' e better to face the difficulties of the situation frankly and without delay.