IRELAND

Evening Star, Issue 16848, 25 September 1918, Page 6

IRELAND

SINN FEIN'S NEW METHODS. PASSIVE RESISTANCEI BY CONSTITUTIONAL MEANS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright "The Times.' LONDON, September 23. The Irish correspondent of ' The Times' writes : .Although arrests, searches, and boycotts continue, the condition of Ireland has immeasurably improved under General French's measures. The Sinn Fein is dropping its policy of organised lawlessness, and organising for the nextGeneral Election, particularly canvassing women. The campaign is supported by ample funds, including the anti-Conscrip-tion fund of £250,000._ It is intended to contest every Nationalist seat. The Nationalist party's prospects are most gloomy. Their organisation has gone to pieces, and they have no election funds. American subscriptions have entirely ceased. The majority in Ireland, fearing Conscription, will vote Sinn Fein, which party is likely to gain 50 seats. The Nationalists are unlikely to retain more than 25, and some predict only 11. After the election the Sinn Feiners propose to hold out till after the Peace Conference, meanwhile adopting a policy of nationn 1 sabotage. Members elected are not going to Westminster, but will attempt to form an Irish Parliameit, shrinking from revolt and conflict with the forces of the Crown, but dislocating the machinery of the law in every possible way. Overtures to Labor suggest that they are meditating the weapon of a genoral strike, and will take every means to make Ireland ungovernable by the British Parliament, which will be glad to get rid of the Irish difficulty at any price.