THE IRISH TROUBLE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1251, 21 May 1918, Page 5

THE IRISH TROUBLE.

EXTENT OF THE GERMAN

CONSPIRACY. A I'OINTKI) QUESTION. WHAT WILL MR DILLON DO? \.ustralian-New Zealand Cablo Association. LONDON, May 19. Mr Shoi-M: (Chief Secretary for Ireland) states that tile number of Irishmen and Irishwomen in active co-operation with the Hermans is very small, but others may become involved. The Government believes it can rely on Irish support irrespective of creed or politics in the measures taken. Freeman's Journal says: Possibly a few foolish men in Ireland may have entered into a conspiracy inviting German aid, but the Irish have never been pro-Germans. The proclamation means that conscription is to be launched under cover of the pro <lamati<in of an alleged German plot. Further arrests include Mr J. McGuin ness. M.l\ (Sinn Fein) and Professor Men a'ghan.

Count Plunkett was arrest,.,] at Dublin, where the streets, were crowded. The night passed quietly, the different groups discussing the arrests. Some accounts place the total arrests in Ireland as high as 500. The newspapers tire now asking, "Whal will Mr Dillon. M.P., do?" A Nationalist meeting has been summoned for Monday to discuss the situation. Mr O'Brien, M.P., suggests that the first effective answer Ireland can give the Government would be the unanimous elec tion of Mr Griffith for Last (lavan. The Irish Times says: This German plot is not only a conspiracy against the Allied cause, but is a conspiracy against Ireland's honour. If it should succeed with (he help of even a handful of Irish traitors and fanatics, it would involve the country in deathless shame, wiping out the splendid record of the Irish soldiers in this and in former wars. The Observer says: The reality and the seriousness of the German plot has been known for some lime. In view of the present urgency of the whole war position, this repeated treason must be put down with an unflinching hand. The Observer strongly criticises the Nationalists' manifesto to America, and their failure to repudiate the Sinn Fein. DUKE'S RESIDENCE RAIDED. NO ARMS FOR RAIDERS. ~lian-New Zealand Cable Association LONDON. May 19. Masked Sinn Fciners, in motor cars, on Saturday raided the Duke of Abercoru's residence, Baron Court. They cut the telephone and placed the gatekeepers under a guard. They then searched the ,-astle for arms, but without result.

WARNING CAME IN TIME. FROM A FRIENDLY COUNTRY. THE ARRESTS CAUSED SURPRISE. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Received May 21. 8.45 a.m. ' LONDON, May 20. The Daily Chronicle's Dublin correspondent says that the secret was well kept. The arrests came as a surprise to the affected persons, and also to everyone oiit-ide Dublin L'astle. The printer of the proclamation was ■ intrusted only with the headings, and the formal parts were afterwards typewritten. Copies of the effective parts were pasted in blank spaces in Dublin. The residents' lirst intimation of anything unusual was the continuous barking of dogs several hours after midnight, while motor lorries with the prisoners were driving the streets to Kingstown. Early risers found a large number of soldiers guarding the jetty. They learned that the Sinn Feiners were aboard a H arship.

The arrests have nothing to do with the anti-conscription campaign, or the Sinn Fein organisation or seditious speeches. Some prisoners are not Sinn Feiners. Every arrest was solely based on the suspicion of treacherous communication with the enemy.

It is rumoured that incriminating documents were found on a man captured in a collapsible boat, an<] also on another captured off Kerry.

The correspondent says: I believe something more definite found its way to the British Government from a friendly conntry, which exposed the curlier [dots against lhe Allies, always in tin- nick of time, 1 lirmly believe the prisoners won't be courl-martialled or brought to a public trial. The Government will scrupulously a.bstain from giving any excuse for disorders among (he Irish public. tri>h newspapers unitedly deny any pro-Germanism in Ireland. There lure the Government must recognise the 1 necessity for justifying the arrests by the product ion of satisfactory evidence. The arrests are a war measure and do nor imply ;i revival of the clauses of the Coercion Act. But war measures must be wellgrounded. The Government must nor lose time in proving to Ireland and the whole world that the plot is genuine. It is unfortunate that the belated and grudging withdrawal of conscription, which the proclamation announces, is annulled for the moment by the sensational arrests and the discovery of the plot. CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF THE CONSPIRACY. (United Service.) Received .Mav 21. 10.30 a.m. LONDON, May 20. The Daily Mail understands that the Government has conclusive evidence of the l/rish conspiracy. The Germans clearly hoped that a great insurrection would synchronise at the supreme moment with a gigantic western offensive. TURBULENT SINN FEINERS'. DEMONSTRATE IX NEW STORK. NEW YORK. May 19. A turbulent meeting of sympathisers of the- Sinn Feiners carried a. resolution urging the President and Congress to vigorously aid Ireland in her light for Home Rule. It also passed resolutions declaring President Wilson's declaration in favour of selfrule and self-determination should apply to Ireland, which is nun held by England's military force alone. England's rule in Ireland has been a complete failure. The Irish question was internal, and unless it was settled, it would be a permanent danger to the world's peace. The speakers included James Larkin. A WILD STATEMENT. At a second meeting speakers declared that England's policy will result in the massacre of Irish men. women and child ren. All sympathisers were, pledged to petition the I'nited Stales Government, asking lor aid for Home Rule and against conscription. SMPERSAL WAR CABINET.

AUSTRALIAN DELEGATES' MIS&ION. Received Mav 21, 10.20 a.m. MELBOURNE May 21. Mr Wall, speaking at Armadale, said thai Mr Hughes and Mr Cook have gone to London chiefly in regard lo the future of the captured territory in tlio Pacific, which must nor bo permitted to return to Ger many. BEWARE OF FRUIT SMELLS. GERMANS DISGUISING THEIR GASES. NEW YORK, May 19. The United Press correspondent states the Germans are perfuming their various rases, endeavouring to conceal their deadli uess Various new gases have sm< lis re sembling apples, banana.*, pineapples, and oranges. They formerly ha<| distinctive odours, readily distinguishable by ga.s experts, who have now warned the Americans to beware of fruit smells. NEW ZEALANDER ARRESTED. Received Mav 21. 10.20 a.m. ' SYDNEY, Mav 21. A stowaway, gfy'tng the name of Gibson, bul known to tlie police as George Cattery, was arrested aboard a steamer at Newcastle at the request of the New Zealand authorities. lie was attempting to evade military service.