IRISH UPRISING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11730, 21 June 1916, Page 4

IRISH UPRISING.

WAS IN THE AIR. LETTER OF APRIL 15 A PROOF. Writing to tho " Boston Globe " from Dublin on April 15, W. Green, aw Irish journalist, said: — There ik an ugly feeling in Dublin. The "Jim Larkin crowd" is still strong and bitter against the combination which defeated it two or Circe years ago. They are 8000 powerful in the city of Dublin alone. A short, time ago Jim Larkin went to Anieiica, and while there he constantly associated with the I.W.W. people. There is a strong undercurrent rumour here in Dublin that Jim is back. I hardly think that the authorities would permit his return to Ireland just at this time. Nevertheless, tho crowd which is known as the " Larkiu crowd is carrying on a powerful propaganda against the " Irish Capitalists, . Party," "Irish Clergy," and especially against the "Irish Recruiting. Without tho " Larkin crowd all other anti-Redmond elements possess little or no power to menace tho authority of tho Government. No sane man can deny the fact tnat the situation is becoming more ancl more tense. Jin\ Larkin s crowd is directing its special attention particularly against the local Irish politicians. Their bitterest denunciations are especially addressed against the non-working element in Dublin. Their attacks against the authorities of the Empire are incidental. They aro cursing the authorities of the Empire in Ireland for giving protection to tho " capitalist elements which ar« daily robbing them of their hardearned bread"; this is the way they reason. The municipal authorities are not denying tho gravity of the situation. PERNICIOUS POSTERS. Recently, addressing tho City of Dublin Grand Jury, Mr -Justice Kenny "There are, indications in the city of Dublin or the existence of a spirit amongst a section—-I hope a small one—of the population in connection with tho war a'nd the matter 0f,., recruiting, which is of a very opinion, deserves the condemnation or disquieting nature and which, in my opinion, deserves the condemnation of every decent citizen. '' We are passing at the present timo through ia crisis in our country s historv of grave and unexampled ten-, sion, in which the very existence of the United Kingdom as a nation is involved, and in which every man is expected to do his utmost according to his ability and opportunities in tho de- ' fence of the country's interests. "We raad in the daily papers or anti-recruiting meetings and the seizure of seditious literature; of the i police in the execution of the right of search being mot and repulsed by men. armed with rifle and bayonet; of street disturbances, in which firearms appear to b3 freely used; and you have in the public thoroughfares of this city what I regard the most serious attempts to paralyse the _ recruiting movement,,' namely, the display of largo and attractive posters outside shop doors, which must necessarily have a most rnis- • chievous and deterrent influence on certain classes of the population. "I have seen these posters from tim.® to time. No passer by could fail to observe them. They purport to represent either the contents or the spirit of some weekly papers. , One of thes9 posters reads thus: 'England's 'Last Ditch '; auother, 'England's" Growing Hypocrisy '; "another. Awav With the Priests'; another, The Pretenco of the Realm Act,' and so on.. • "Let me say T call attention to this matter because a continuance of this state of things must have a tendency to create incalculable mischief and to greatly prejudice tho praiseworthy efforts of his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, and the many prominent citizens who are working with so much seal and patriotism in furtherance of recruiting in this country. "I do not wish to say moTQ beyond this, that I do not believe there is a single peaceable and law-abiding citizen who would not be very pleased to see the misclrevous state of things to which I refer brought to lan end." REDMOND'S ENEMIES VERY BUSY Meantime. Mr Redmond's various personal ana political enemies are utilising every discontent in Ireland for the express purpose of discrediting his leadership. The Sinn Fein element which during the I.W.W. strikes of two or three 'years ago condemned them loudly are now supporting the Jim Larkili crowd energetically. The anti-Redmond element literally stole tho I.W.W. thunder when they began their." Anti-taxation " agitation under the leadership of Michael Governey. A meeting convened at Dubh'n Mansion. under the presidency of Michael Governey, drew an innocent looking resolution condemning the extra " \Var Taxation," and incidentally attacking tho Parliamentary group at London for their lack of activity in behalf of tho interests of Ireland. This innocent looking resolution was sent out broadcast to all the Irish city and county councils, and was, with very little exception, reacted by these bodies.