The Daily News. THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1916. COLLAPSE OF IRISH REBELLION.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 May 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1916. COLLAPSE OF IRISH REBELLION.

It was inevitable that the Irish trouble would be speedily suppressed, and it is satisfactory to know that Dublin is gradually becoming normal, while the work of clearing some of the small districts is proceeding apace. From tin first the rebels must have known that their criminally foolish action was doomed to ignominious failure, but they were spoiling for a fight and determined to execute as much mischief and damage, besides taking as many lives as possible. Tkey certainly showed themselves as in every way well fitted to go hand in hand with the barbaric Hun in their indiscrim inate campaign of murder, incendiarism and pillage. They had not even the sense to discover that they were being made the dupes of our unscrupulous enemy, who is only too eager to use any agency, however sullied and soiled it may be, in pursuing the policy of hate whereby it is obsessed. No' doubt the Germans considered their plans for an Irish rising were so well laid that Britain would be paralysed and unable to deliver the impending blow on the Teutonic forces. The miserable effort has been crushed as if it were a mouse stricken by the paw of a lion, though not befote a number of valuable lives had been sacrificed and a considerable amount of damage done. As against this we have the satisfaction of the trouble having aroused the real Irish to the menace of these firebrands la their midst, and J

evoked an outburst of horror as well as of loyalty and patriotism, The Germans are welcome to make the most of the so-called rebellion, but they cannot get away from the stigma which will attach to them for years to come for resorting to such despicable means of carrying on hostilities. It is matter for great re "ret that to dislodge the irreconcilables it was necessary to shell several buildings and thus add to the destruction of property, but the prompt suppression of the rising was the first consideration, and the authorities are to be commended for their thoroughness in uealing with the outbreak and thereby presenting a marked contrast to the supineness which wss shown in allowing the affair to come to a head. .After all, this trouble may prove not to be without its compensations, for it has clearly shown the enemy that Britain can cope with such troubles with ease, and that instead of creating depression >t stimulated patriotism and furrishod an additional incentive to pro scouting the war to a victorious con-i-Jusion. It is the dupes that will now have to bear the consequences of their criminal folly, but the time will come wiicu tlie fiendish principals will have to answer for this and a host of other foul crimes against tlif laws of civilisation.