TREASON IN IRELAND

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 207, 21 May 1918, Page 5

TREASON IN IRELAND

PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION WITH THE GERMANS APPEAL FOR VOLUNTARY ENLISTMENTS London, May 19. ■ Tho Irish Proclamation states:— "It has come to our knowledge that certain subjects in Ireland havo entered into treasonable communication with tho Germans. Such treachery menaces tlio fair fame and military record of Ireland, which id a source of intense wide to the country whoso sons have always distinguished themselves and fought with horoio valour, as thousands of them aro now fighting in this war. Drastic measures must bo taken to put down this German plot. It is tho duty of all loyal subjects to assist the Government to suppress this treasonable conspiracy and to defeat the Germans' treacherous attempt to defame tho honour of Irishmen for Gorman ends. Wβ call upon all loyal subjects to assist in crushing tho conspiracy and to assist in securing tho effective prosecution of the war and tho welfare and safety of tho Empire. As a means thereto wo shall take further steps to encourage voluntary enlistment, in the hope that Ireland's contribution will correspond to tho contribution of other pnits of the Binpiro without com-pulsion."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

TUT? APPI7CTV 101 l AlufliMS ANOTHER LIST OF NAMES. London, May 19. The arrested men include Peter Hughes, chairman of tho Dimdnlk Urbnn Council. George Nicols, Coroner, of Galway; George Geraghty, oliairmnn of the Itoscommon Town Commissioners; l)r. Richard Hayes, Sean Milloy, and Sean M.'Butie, members of the Sinn Foin executive, and a number of captains of the Irish Volunteers in the provincial centres.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ARREST OF COUNT , PLUNK ETT. (Bee. May 21, 0.55 a.m.) London, May 19. Count Plunkett was arrested in Dublin ■where tho streets were crowded. Tho night, passed quietly. Further arrests include Mr. M'Guinness, M.P., and Professor Monaghon. Masked Sinn Feiners in motor-cars on Saturday raided the Duko of Aborcorn's residence at Baronscourt, cut tho ielephone, placed the gatekeepers under gunrd, aid made an unavailing search of the castle for arms. STRONG ACTION WsES A SENSATION STORY OF THE ARRESTS. London, May 19. The Government's sudden display of firmness has caused a sensation in Ireland, whero the Loyalists had been alarmed by the Sinn Fein's raids on houses for arms and their seizure of farms without molestation. The Sinn. Fciners hod. long boasted that tho Government was afraid to interfere with them. Tho story of tho arrests shows that the. arrangements wore skilfully planned, and wero carried out like clockwork. The proclamation was issued at midnight on -Fridav, and the arrests began immediately. Most were effected before, dawn. The arrests wero made in Dublin. Belfast, Kilkenny, Drogheda. Dundalk, and many other places. Over a hundred people havo been arrested up to the present, most of whom were previously arrested during the Easter rebellion in 191 G.

Military motor lorries conveyed tho prisoners to Kingston, where they were embarked on a Government transport, which is still in harbour. The Sinn Fein Standing Committee met in Dublin on Vriday night, and most of tho members i wore subsequently aiTtsted. Tim police raided the headquarters of tlio organisation in Dublin and seized its books and documents. When they left tho remaining Sinn Feiners hung out a placard inscribed "Business as usual."

De Valera was arrested at his homo, "Groyetonee," and tho Countess Mnrckiovira at Rathmines, nt 1 o'clock in the morning. The only resistance encountered was at Skibbereen, where Ted O'Driscoll and five others who were in his house fought tho police. O'Driscoll received a revolver bullet wound in the ami. and Patrick Hopan was wounded in tho bead. Irish volunteers at Cashel evaded arrest by escaping through n window and ni lining across tho adjoinins: convent grounds to the open country.

Tho' Cork correspondent of "Lloyd's Nows" says it is stated that prominent Sinn Feinors had declared that the Republicans had a good treaty with Gormany, but the general public did not belicvn tho stateinont.

The latest reports show that there is no excitement either in the north or tho south.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

STATEMENT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY

(Kec. Mny 21, 0.55 a.in.) London, Hay 19. Mr. Shortt, the Chief Secretary for Ireland, states that tho number of Irishmen and Irishwomen in active co-opera-tion with the Germans is very small, but others.may become- involved. The Government believes it can rely on Irish support, irrespective of creed or politics, in tho measures taken. The "Freeman's Journal" says: "Possibly a few foolish men in Ireland inay have entered n conspiracy for invoking German aid, but the Irish never have been pro-German. Tho proclamation mentis that conscription will be launched under tho cover of the revelations of this alleged German plot." Soino accounts place the total arrests in Ireland as high as five hundred. Tho newspapers are asking: What will MY. Dillon no? A Nationalist meoting has been summoned for Monday to discuss the situation. Mr. O'Brien, M.P., suggests that the first effective answer Ireland can givo the Government would bo the unanimous election of Mr. Griffith for East Cavan. The "Irish Times" says: "This German plot is not only a conspiracy against the Allied cause, but against Ireland's honour. If it should succeed, with tho help of even a handful of Irish traitors and fanatics, it would involve the country in deathless shame, wiping out tho splendid record of vho Irish soldisrs in this and former ware." The "Observer" says: "Tho reality and seriousness of tho German plot have boon known for somo time. In viow of tho present urgency of tho whole war position this repeated treason must ho put down with an unflinching hand." Tho "Observer" strongly criticises the Nationalists' manifesto to America and their failure to repudiate tho Sinn Fein inovomeiit.

A Turbulent Meeting. A turbulent meeting' of sympathisers with tho Sinn Pcinors carried a resolution urging the United States President nnd Congress vigorously to aid Ireland in tho light for Home Rule. The meeting also passed resolutions declaring that President Wilson's declaration in favour of self-rule and self-determination should apply to Ireland, which is now held by England's military force alono; that England's rule in Ireland has boon a complete failure; that tho Irish question was internal,' and unless settled would bo a permanent danger to the world's peace. The speakers included James Ltirkin, tho strike leader. ■ At a second meeting speakors declared that England's policy would result in a mnesttcre of Irish men, women, nnd children. All the sympathisers aro pledged to (sign the petition to tho United States Government asking for aid for Home Rule and against conscription,—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. an imperiaTquestion GENERAL SMUTS'S VIEW. London, May 19. General Smuts, speaking at Glasgow to thank tho University for conferring thp degree of Doctor of Laws upon him, said, referring to Ircland:-"Wo would

not admit tho right of anybody to be an exception to the common obligation of common duties to the common Empire." Jt was tho Empire's aim to solvo the long and dreary Irish problem. It would prove soluble, as had tho bigger problem of South Africa. "Wu find some people talking historically of a republic, others of appealing to tho enemy or of having their wrongs righted at tho Pence Conference. Ireland need not go to the Pence Conference to got her wrongs righted." Ho advised lior to apply to tho Empire's highest Court of Appeal—the Imperial Conference—Aue.-N.SS. Cable Assn.