THE IRISH CONSPIRACY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16218, 22 May 1918, Page 7

THE IRISH CONSPIRACY.

HOW THE ARRETS "\VKKK

effected

~„_P r» .s Copyrisht.) ,fc Cao-c- Cab'c A-*.iciMion.) W- " d YONDOX, May SO. Tlie "Dailv Chronic!* V Duhim cori«„t. «nv« that the sprret «'«i weil j:spo n(]ent <nin.- ;is a M , nnd that x\ ' TCe-rvo- outsid, Dublin Castle, also to eu . , .' ;l ]i::innn was TbC the heading, and (jtrnstei onlj " „„i> ..vpessx *«*., with pri«».m «r, <1..' the f C of s lcliers guardmihe kai, and learned that the Smu were aboard a warship. . C nts have nothing .to do witli ' , J !n?i conniption r amvai-n, or to i the anu-con.-c i llislllinH> fl r sc diScciurs. Smne of tho prisoners , t,ous Kvery arn st v.as jre notfiinn « V i«pifioii of truacher!oWy — ic«i», h tho enemy. ~£SS*rz SWUC-E OF INFORMATION. SSTS. » n<l ibo "" ■sftSSSiS : •f eli ?™ ♦ hinf moi'p definite lound its wa> ""il« T?-itHi Government from a to . lh n n mtrv whirl, exposed the frIC r P d r y n lots aVrain S J the Allies always earlier p -c'tinie I firmlv believe Itthe' I 'prisoners 'will nob be courtr IUI nr brought to public trial, an" that the Government will scrupulouilv abstain from giving.any exense for borders among tho lush pujl .. ' Irish newspapers unitedly deny any proGermanism In Ireland, and therefore tho Government must recognise the M«s«tv of justifying tho arrests l»> the productioti of satisfactory evidence The arrests nro a war measure, and d not imply the revival of the clauses of £ Coercion Act but war.measures must ho well grounded, and the Goveiliment must not lose tunc * n Ireland.and the whole world that the plot is genuine. It is unfortunate that the belated and grudging withdrawal of conscription, which the prMlamation announces, 15. annulled for a moment by sensational arrests and tho discovery ot " itTiP aTresls number over 100, includinc 73 Sinn Feiners. who sat ed from Kingstown to Holyhead on Saturday, i huge crowd at Kingstown cheered the prisoners, the crowd shouting. Up with tho rebels and smash the Nationalists." The police later dispersed tho crown, which was commencing to smg "The Soldier's Son." Arrests continue in Athlone, Gal way, Cnvon, Cashcl, Sligo, Dtmdalk, Kilkenny, Clonmel, Roscofnmon, and Cork, hut principally in Dublin. Four Sinn Fein members of the House of Commons have thus far feoen arrested, apnrt from Mr L. Ginnell, who is serving six months' imprisonment in Monntjoy prison. Practically the whole-governing body of the Sinn Fein movement ia in custody. \ CATHOLIC CLERGY'S ATTITUDE. The general beliof is that the Catholic clergy will now abandon their orii ginal attitude of stern resistance. A ' well-known Dublin priest said on .Sunday that if it were true that a German plot existed in Ireland, tho great majority of Nationalists would withdraw their sympathy from the Sinn Fein taovement and centre their hopes for tui Irish settlement in constitutional methods under Mr Dillon's party. It is believed in Dublin that Mr Dillon may decide to bring back his followers to Westminster and interrogate the Government regarding a German plot, • especially as Lord Erench's proclamation virtually admits that the conscription policy has failed. The Sinn Fciners protest againsb tho Allegations that a German plot exists. The first result of the arrests is the fcollapso of the election campaign in EaSt Cavan, where all tho Sinn Itinera ihfcagcd in the election were arrested. Probably there will be no contest, but Mr Griffiths, a Sinn Felner, who was arrested, will be elected unopposed. Public opinion in Belfast is not impressed by the number of the arrests. It is recalled that some of the arrested w were sentenced to death in 1916, while others escaped long terms of imprisonment by hunger striking. Orange opinion hopes that if the accused are proved guilty of haying dealings with the enemy, they will be vigorously dealt with. f * THE HAND OF GERMANY. ' :. (United Servire,) r. LONDON, May 20. -Thfc "Daily Mail" understands that 'Jm Government has conclusive eviuwee of the Irish conspiracy. The Germans clearly hoped that a great insurwotion/ would synchronise with the Mpjttine moment of a. gigantic Western offensive. The "''Daily Mail's" Dublin corresays it is believed, that the wnn Feiners are prepared for decenwised. control of the organisation, in we fcveht of the central committee he--10& put out of action. The most important documents have been destroyed and the conscription fund, ; wWlilig £200,000. remains in the «MUI» or local trustees. CONSPIRACY MATURING FOR v MONTHS. ("The Times.") •« . • , LONDON,' May 20. ./ or motjthfe the knowledge that a ® W T <^ n *mr«cy was maturing tveiched i M± nd c^ e a nightmare. Tangible ' °/ 14 were nuHiertlis, including ISSk® ? arnl3 ftDtl explosives, and TjlCTs.by orators. ; . loyalists are convinced that tronblfl' k! at the bottom of tho S iS; -w 0 b - L ellG , v f d another rebellion e< Bhou,d the Allies meet &s reverses a France. The authenevidence is unquestioned. ' leading article, BA iji. »L-j ls mo ? t necessary to pub®»nd i° n S° so as to 1, ® c '°"d of sensational rumours 3f ' ' — \ ARRESTS CONTTNTIE. , KzTcable Artwciation.) f CReuter'g Telegrams,) (Received May 21st, 9.30 p.m.) : ?r«3« j ■ ~ LONDON, May 20. is still outwardly calm The quietly throughout the i nrrcs ts include Maud SfS- rof Major Mcß "de. who ® executed in 1910. \ of that the evidence leader? 4 xt. Ween the Sinn Fcin BarM and the enemy ia being prswill bejiublished shortly. . NEWSPAPER^OOMifENT. ' (BcnWa TeUgtam*., (i (Beceivcd May 21st, 8.20 p.m.) - LONDON, May 20. " h* r B^a P era ur E e the necessity for V Jbl S Ver ? nlent immediately formulat- [ against the Irishmen ' At xi 411 ex P € diting the pubiioa--1 ( material facta to Uio^e

accused a full and fair opportunity of making their defence.

Tho "Daily Telegraph"' says:—

"The s-ipreire mistake of t'.e (successive i;ritisli Governments during the past decade ha* been to allow JlricisJi authority and law to fall into contempt."' i lie "Daily Telegraph" congratulates the Government on having at leirrth determined to end tho open treason in Ireland. ''Ihc3' liave cast the net wide," it Kay;, "and we hope there will be no more pitiful surrender to a clamour for tlio release of the conspirators as political prisoners.' The I'ost" says that the arrests are an excellent step towards the re-establishment- of firm government in Ireland. The ""Post" complains that the Nationalist leaders are left to carry on a seditious agitation against conscription. The "Daily Express" says:— ''The crazy Sinn Fein plot must be crushed, but we hope and believe tiiat the British people will maintain the attitude of friendship and saii:r.v m> forcibly expounded by General Smuts. The pledges to the Irish people i.nist be fulfilled." (United Service.) (Received Mn'v '21st. 8.20 p m , LONDON, -M -.v iO. The Sinn Fein Emergency Executive which wns nominated before tho arrests, has assumed control. Jt is expected that tho Government will prohibit Sinn Fein agitation.

THREE PRIESTS INVOLVED

(United Service.) (Received May 21st, 11.40 p.m.)

LONDON,

May 20

The members of tho Central Executive of tho Sinn l'cin totalled 30, only seven of whom ljave not been arrested. They include two women and throe priests.