SINN FEIN PLOTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16217, 21 May 1918, Page 7

SINN FEIN PLOTS.

ANOTHER CONSPIRACY IN IRELAND.

(By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cabie Association.)

LONDON. May 18. An Irish proclamation states: — "It has come to our knowledge that certain subjects in Ireland have catered into treasonable communication with the Germans. Such treachery >nenaces Ireland's fair fame and her military record, which is a source of intense pride to the country, whose soils have always distinguished themselves and fought with heroic valour, as thousands of them are now fighting in tiiis war. Drastic measures must be taken to put down this German plot. It is the duty of all subjects to assist the Government to suppress this treasonable conspiracy, and deleai the German treacherous attempt to defame Irishmen's honour for German ends. Wo call on all loyal subjects to assist in crushing this conspiracy, and to assist in securing the effective prosecution of the war and the welfare and safety of the Empire. As a means thereto we shall take further steps to encourage voluntary enlistment, in the hope that Ireland's contribution will correspond to the contributions of other parts of the Empire without compulsion." OVER ONE HUNDRED ARRESTS. LONDON, May 19. The Government's display of firmness caused a sensation in Ireland, where loyalists had been alarmed by the Sinn Fein raids on houses for arms, and the seizure of farms without molestation. The Sinn Feiners have long boasted that the Government was afraid to interfere with them.

Tlie story of the arrests shows that the arrangements were skilfully planlied, and were carried out like clockwork. The proclamation was issued at midnight on Friday, and the arrests tegan immediately. * Mpst of them were effected before dawn. Arrests were 'tiade in Dublin, Belfast, Kilkenny, Drogheda. Dundalk, and other places. Over 100 persons have been arrestee* lip to the present. Most of them had been arrested during the Easter rebellion in 1916.

Military motor lorries conveyed the arrested men to Kingston, where they were embarked on a Government transport, which remains in the harbour. The Sinn Feiners-Standing Committee met in Dublin on Friday night. Most of the members subsequently were arrested. The police raided the organication's headquarters in Dublin, and seized the books and documents. When they departed the remaining Sinn Feiners hung out a placard inscribed "Business as Usual."

De Valera was arrested at his homo at Greystones, and the Countess Markievicz at Ratlimines, at one o'clock in the morning. The onlv resistance was at Skibberin, where Ted O'Driscoll and five others in. his house fought the police. O'Driscoll received a revolver bullet wound in the arm.

Patrick Hogan, head of the Irish Volunteers in Cashel, evaded arrest, escaping through a window, and running across the adjoining convent grounds to open country.

A TREATY WITH GERMANY

"Lloyd's News" Cork correspondent Fays; It is stated here that prominent Sinn Feiners had declared that the Republicans had a good treatv with Germany, but the general public did believe the statement. Tho latest reports Bhow that there was no excitement either in the north or south.

The arrested men include: Peter Hughes, chairman of the Dundalk Urban Council.

George Nicols, Coroner for Galway. George Geraghty, chairman of the lloscommon Town Commissioners. Dr. Richard Hayes, Sean Milloy, and bean MeEntee. members of the Sinn Fein Executive, and a number of captains of the Irish Volunteers in provincial centres.

GENERAL SMUTS ON IRELAND'S WRONGS.

~ , „ LONDON. May 18. General Smuts, speaking nt Glasgow in the course of thanking the Univern i conferring upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws, said, referring to Ireland: ''We wouldn't think it rigm; that anybody should be the exception i ? on ™ on obligation or the common duties of a common Empire." It was the Empire's aim, he added, to solve the lonfi. dreary Irish problem, and it should prove soluble as the bigger Rofuoble S ° Uth Af " Ca had pr^ ed fi^ d People," he said, talking hysterically of a republic, and others of appealing to the enemy, or of having their wrongs righted at a peace conference. Ireland need not go to a peace conference to get her wrongs nghtecl." He advised her to apply to the Empire's highest Court ( <f enJe ' namely ' the In >Penal Confer-

NEWSPAPER COMMENT.

. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received May 20th, 8 p.m.) LONDON, May 19. Some accounts place the total arrests in Ireland as high as 500..

The newspapers are asking: What will Mr Dillon do? A Nationalist meeting has been summoned for Monday to discuss the situation. Mr 0 Brien, M.P. for Cork City, suggests that the first effective answer Ireland could give tho Government would bo the unanimous election of Mr Griffith for East Cavan.

The "Irish Times" says: "This German plot is not onlv a conspiracy against th 0 Allied caused but against Ireland's honour. If it should succeed with the help of even a handful of Irish traitors and fanatics it would involve tho country in deathless shame, wiping out the splendid record of the Irish soldiers in this and former wars." Tho "Observer" says:

Tho reality and seriousness of the German has boon known foy some time. In view of the present urgency of the whole war position this repeated tre-ason must bo put down with an unflinching hand."

The Observer" strongly criticises the Nationalists' manifesto to America and their failure to repudiate the Sinn Fein.

CONSPIRACY NOT "WIDESPREAD. (Received May 20th, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 19. Further arrests include Mr J. MeGuinness (Sinn Fein M.P. for Longford), and Professor Monaghan. Masked Sinn Feiners in motor-cars on Saturday raided the Duke of Abercorn's residence, Baronseourt. They cut the telephone, placed the gatekeepers under guard, and searched the castle for arms, but unavailingly. Mr E. Shortt (Chief Secretary for Ireland) states that the number of

Irishmen and Irishwomen in active cooperation with the Germans is very small, but others may become involved. The Government believes that it. can rely on Irish support irrespective of creed or politics in any measures taken. "Freeman's Journal" savs :—

•'Possible a few foolish men in Ireland may bare entered into a conspiracy, invoking German aid, but the Irish have never been pro-German. The proclamation means that conscription will be launched under covcr of the •revelations of an alleged German plot." COI*XT PLUNKETT ARRESTED. (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Received May 21st, 1.30 a.m.") LONDON, May 19. Count Plunkett was arrested in Ihiblin. where the streets are crowded. The night passed quietly, groups discussing the arrests. SYMPATHY FROM AMERICA. (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association,) (Received May 21st, 12.50 h.m.) NEW YORK, May 19. A turbulent meeting of sympathisers with tlie Sinn Feiners carried a resolution urging the President and Congress vigorously to aid Ireland in her fight fur Home Rule.

Ihe meeting also carried resolutions declaring that President "Wilson's declaration in iavour of self-rule and selfdetermination should apply to Ireland, which was now held by England's military force alone. England's rule in Ireland had been a complete failure. -Ihe Irish question was internal, and unless it was settled would bo a permanent danger to the world's peace. The speakers included James Larkin.

At a second meeting speakers declared that England's policy would result in tho massacre of Irish men, women, and children.

All the sympathisers pledged themselves to sign a petition to the United States Government asking aid for Homo Rule and against conscription.