SINN FEIN OFFICE RAID.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17112, 18 March 1919, Page 8

SINN FEIN OFFICE RAID.

-e»— POLICE DISCOVERIES. MANY DOCUMENTS SEIZED. Between 30 and 40 policemen and detectives raided the Sinn Fein headquarters in Dublin on January 11, and seized a number of documents. The search occupied about an hour, and a crowd that collected in the street meanwhile sang Sinn Fein songs. Some Republican members of Parliament arrived and inquired under what authority the raid was carricd cut. A police inspector informed them action was taken under the Defence of tho Realm Act. No resistance was offered to the search, and the polico carried away large quantities of pamphlets and leaflets. Among them was a bill headed, " To tho American soldiers and sailors in Ireland." Some of the Sinn Fein officials stated that thev did net know how this document came into the office or where it had been printed. It contained the following sentences

"You havo witnessed the blackguardism the people of Dublin have had to endure from the dregs of English militarism. This is but a reflex of tho treatment meted out to the Irish people by British politicians for centuries. Many of you ars kinsmen of ours. Did you win this war in order to rivet Ireland's chains? We helped you to win your independence. Will you not help ns to win ours?" Other papers seized were typewritten copies of a verbatim report of tho inquest on tho victims of tho mail steamer Leinster; the Sinn Fein general election payments book; "Americans' verdict on Easter week; Ireland's claim to freedom;" a draft copy of a message to the free nations of the world which was to be issued by the Irish Constituent Assembly; and " The Declaration of Ireland's Independence," which was to be issued by the same body.

Mr. Harry Boland one of the Sinn Fein members, had intended to deliver a lecture entitled " Easter Week" in a hall in tho town of Roscommon. On the instructions of the military, the police took possession of the hall early in the morning and posted a copy of a proclamation on the doors forbidding the lecture. _ No attempt was made to hold tho meeting, and Mr. Boland left for Dublin in the afternoon.