EXTREMISTS IN SINN FEIN

Nelson Evening Mail, 30 May 1916, Page 3

EXTREMISTS IN SINN FEIN

GERMANY'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. (Press Association. — CcpYKi'oET.i LONDON, May 27. Bofore the Dublin Commission, Col. Sir Neville Chamberlain.' (InspectorGeneral of the Royal Irish Constabulary) deposed that the SinxuJFem movement commenced in 1905. It was moderate at the outset, 'but a council of extremists got possession, and freely circulated -anti-English literature. From the end- of the Sinn Feiners -were closely associated with the Irish':- Volunteers. They found in Casement an agent who did much to strengthen the cooperation of German. Witness became convinced that Germany was financing the disloyal organisation'. Major Price, intelligence officer at the Irish military head'nnarffrs; stated (''•'t' between August and November, 1914, about 900 rifles were sold by English firm to the Irish Volunteers. As the result of Sinn Feinn propaganda the the army lost 50.000 recruits. During six months the Volunteers collected a sum of £20,000. The Sinn: Feiners captured the Gaelic League. the Gaelic Athletic Association, and the Volunteers. He had been unable to tra-ee the receipt of German* money in Ireland, which came indirectlv via New York. The Secretary of the Genera] Dublin Post Office stated that the conduct of the postal staff during the war was om'te excellent. The staff numbered 17,000, and only 48 were under suspicion, some only slightly.