FINANCING THE SINN FEINERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2783, 30 May 1916, Page 5

FINANCING THE SINN FEINERS

WHERE THE MONEY CAME FROM EVIDENCE AT THE ROYAL v COMMISSION By TelcerQDli—Press AEeocialion--Copyright ("Tinies" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, May, 27. Before the Dublin Commission, Col. Sir Neville Chamberlain (Inspector-Gen. eral of the Royal Irish Constabulary) de. posed that the Sinn Fein movement .commenced in 1905. Jt was moderate at tlit outset, but ii council of extremists gut possession, and freely' circulated antiEnglish literature. From the end of 19U the Sinn Feiners were closely associated with the Irish Volunteers. They found in Cusement an agent who did much to strengthen the co-operation of Germany. Witness became convincedthat Germany was financing the disloyal organisation. Major Price, intelligence officer lit the Irish military headquarters, stated that betweon August and November, 19M, about 900 rifles were sold by an English firm to the Irish Volunteers. As tha result of Sinn Fein propaganda the Army lost fifty thousand recruits. During sii months the Volunteers' collected a fund of .£20.000. The Sinn Feincrs' captured the Gaelic League, ■ the Gaelic Athletic Association, and', tho .Volunteers. Ha had been unable to trace the receipt of German money in Ireland, which came indirectly via New York. The Secretary of the General Dublin Post Oflicf. stated that the conduct of the postal staff during the war was quite excellent. The staff numbered 17,000, and only 48 were under suspicion, some only slightly. •GERMAN RIFLES SEIZED. London, May 28. A number of German rifles were amonfl those seized from the Irish rebels. Thosa 6eized in Wexford were mostly of German make. Lonal, a leader in" Kilkenny) when arrested, surrendered a modern LeeEnfield rifle. . The police found in the houses of thf people stands of arms and bandoliers.