THE GREEN FLAG
IRISH REPUBLICAN BROTHERHOOD SECRET SOCIETY IN AUSTRALIA An inquiry in Sydney into the detention of certain men who were soiue time ago arrested an<|- dinained on a cliargo that they were members of tho Irish lie-, publican Brotherhood, has been providing the -Australian public with some interesting reading. Mr. Justice Harvey was commissioned to inquiro and.report "ivhat facts and circumstances disclosed at tho inquiry before him, might, in his opinion, b9 taken into consideration by the Minister in declaring whether, for securing tho public safety and the defence of tho Commonwealth, tho continued detention of the persons named, or any of them, in military custody, is necessary." At the inquiry, Mr. Ealston, K.C., for the Defence Department, declared that ■ the' defendants, were members of a secret society, the Irish Republican Brotherhood. This was formed in 1915 by an Irishman, John Doran, who went to America in September, 1916. With Doran these seven men had' been engaged in a conspiracy of a highly treasonable nature, dangerous to tho Commonwealth, dangerous to tho Empire, and injurious to Great Britain and her Allies. Tho evidence would fqlly justify the presentation of these men on a charge of treason. The seven were: Albert Thomas .Dryer. Udmnud M'Sivconey, Michael M'Ging, William M'Guinness, ; Haurico Dalton, Frank M'Keown, Thomas Fitzgerald. Air.' Ealston said he proposed to malco ' a very full statement for the purpose of informing the representatives of the men what caused tho Minister to tako tho action. The seven men were arrested, on Juno 17 last, four of them—Dryer, M'Sweeney, M'Ging, nnd M'Guinness—in Sydney, where they resided. Dalton and M'Keown were arrested in Melbourne, and Fitzgerald in Brisbane. Following upon the arrests tho Acting-Prime Minister, stated tho reasons for the. arrests, nnd pointed out that they were charged with being members of a sdcrot society— the Irish Eepublican Brotherhood. In tho beginning] of last' year it camo to' the kno'wledgo of the Defenco Department that braichos'of the society had been formed in iNew South Wales and Victoria, and that a branch was being •formed in As a result of the investigation that followed it was found that: tho 60ven men were interested in tho branches of the brotherhood. It was ascertained that, au Irishman named John Doran had been ,in the Commonwealth himself in and form- : ing branche.s of tlie brotherhood. Two 'branches had been formed in Sydney, nnd Fitzgerald was forming a branch in Brisbane.
• I'ho information showed that Doran went to America about September, 1916, and such a state of/ affairs was revealed that scarch warrants were issued, ami the places of residence—and in some cases the places of business—of the seven men wero searched, and documents taken possession of.
I'no reason was to make an almost .. complete case .showing that tlieso persons, along with Doran, had for three years been engaged in a conspiracy of a highly treasonable nature, dangerous probably to tho Commonwealth, and to . the Empire and tho Allies. Why the Government Moved. . The documentary evidence was nlmost in itself conulusivc as to treasonable conduct, especially against Dalton. Furtlier branches were about to be establish- ; ;ed in tho Commonwealth, and tho-Gov-ernment was impelled to iput a stop to the movement. . The documentary evidenco shows that Dorau was in coniwuiiication with John Devoy, of ; the Clan-na-i trael.m America. Doran look a letter -. irom Dalton to Devoy, and Dalton kept i & copy or the.-lettor, in which he describcd himself as a member of the Fenian ■ fraternity in 1567. In another letter, ii ® n •- y Da!(o " t(> Archbishop Mannix, Dalton signed after his. name, "An old campaigner of ?0a and '67." Tho Gov- ,. ernment was in a-position to-show the establishment of branches of this society in Melbourne, Sydney, aiid Brisbane, that- they worked together, and were oonnected, through.Devoy, in. America, with the, rising .which took place in Dublin'in 1916. In Juno or July, 1015, an. associalion ■ . was formed in Sydney called the Irish relational Association of N S.W. Its constitution showed its name and objects, the objects veto,/.on the faeo of them . perfectly innocent.' They were gencrally designed to assist Ireland to achieve' destiny. In tho by-laws wo nna this: I'licro were no greater Nationalists in the world than in Ger- « would appear, howover, that this National Association was but'a club lor the other society, the Irish Kepubli-' can Brotherhood—a sort of recruilin" • ?™ u nd for that inner body. Among other things seized were various half- . learly reports of the Irish National Association, found witli Dryer in Cavendi sll Street, Stanmore. One of these—cho nrst half-yearly report- dealt with the, starting of tho association.. In the fifth par. the real purposo of tho association ivas_ stated—lrish nationality and its emancipation. Reference was made to lectures on Irish efforts' in this .direction. Another paragraph stated that in the fut ure gi'eater stress might be laid on their real task at the expense of its ornamental adjunctij. "Ireland a free and independent nation is our ultimate goal" was -another quotation. The next document was a letter written ! from Sydnoy by Doran to Dalton'on July 22, 1016. The letter reported the pro- ; gress of business, that sales were incroasing daily, and the guods would soon be supplied to all young Irishmen who wanted them. Having to go to submit samples ■to American buyers, he asked for immediate advice. Counsel submitted that this letter, apparently innooent, suggested tho supply of arms of some kind.
Words in Gaelic, The next letter was from Dorau to Dalton, from Sydney, on August -i, liljb'. It 'noted advice regarding the issuo of certificates, and stated that ho was unclosing a copy of a system of'organieaturn, which he said, was a good guido to get things into shape. Jle said ho was employed by the Union Steam Ship Co., and was watching for a chance to go straight to New York. lie had arranged for an interview with a business gentleman in Brisbane, who might- bo of assistance in working' up the northern State. The letter concluded with some words in Gaelic, which, when transcribed, read;— Hold this paper over a lamp and there will be other news for you on the .other side. The paper had been held over a lamp and a result of chemical treatment the writing had been made nennanent. The writing consisted of: "1.R.8., Australian Division, N.S. Wales Circle, No. I ll —and the names and addresses of a number of men in Sydney. /The system of organisation of the Brotherhood was given in detail, and Mt. Jtalston explained that a copy of it was found in Dryer's possession., Tho next letter was from Doran in Sydney to Daltou in Victoria in August, 191 G. It reported "a farther increase in the family," and that "we will soon have 30 regular customers." He said lie thought .Sydney was the' place to bo taken as a pattern, and that his next report would »o final from that district. He would soon hove three branches and managers appointed. Ho said he bad got into communication with the gentleman in Brisbane, whom he 'believed had "taken shares in the company." Tho next letter was dated August 22, 4910, from Doran to John Devoy in America. It was a copy found in Dalton's possession. The lettor spoke of the writer's intention to go personally to America to deliver the two notes cnelosed from a sympathiser of '67, but owing to the difficulty of getting out of I ho country the letter was. being entrusted to a friend so as to ovtide tho postal censorship. It was) stated that llie.y would "soon be 200 strong, and they were all anxious to bp doing something practical." • He enclosed a chart for code messages, and ill. Gaelic suggested that the code word should be "Saoirse." He appended text of pledge, and asked if it were in accordance with orthodox veirsion. It was to tho effect that the member sworo to be true to (he principles of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and theßcpublio of Ireland . , , , even, to the. last,
sacrifice in the execution of his duty. | Copy of the constitution and , ritual j adopted in 1016 of tho Clan-na-Gael was.'! found in.Dryer's residence.. It showed I tho object of tho Clan-na-Gael to be the. j complete national independence of Ireland j and that the only way of attaining that end was by physical force. A scctiou provided for the appointmsnt of foreign relations, military, and good-of-the-order committees. Eeferring to the qualifications for membership suggested that tho .Irish National Association in Australia was used as a recruiting ground, \ hero men were sounded, and after a year's knowledge ndmitted to the innor brotherhood. Tlio ritual provided for tho admission of candidates, and tho colours referred j to.in tho draping of the table were those ! not only of the Clan-ria-Gael, but, also of the Sinn Fein, the- Irish Eepublican Brotherhood, and the Irish National As- j eoeiation of Victoria, 'New South "Wales, and Queensland. Ireland's Right. When a candidate was sworn in, he was asked if he believed in Ireland's right to be a separate and independent nation, and whether he was willing towork for Ireland's independence by physical force. An Irish Eopublic was tho end, it was set out, to which their efforts were rected. They were combining, so it was printed, tho Irish race in America to assist in tho struggle for independence in the old land. They were, it was add ed, all soldiers of Ireland's army, and overy soldier must stand by his comrades in difficulty and danger. There were also pledges of secrecy regarding tho names of members and doings of the organisation. Both in Dalton's and Dryer's posses6ion werd found typewritten copies adopting that ritual. It was set out in those copics that' their mission was to "combine and concentrate the Irish race in A. (meaning Australia) for the support! of the struggle for independence in the old land."
Mr. Ealston next referred to a letter written by Doran to Dalton from. San Francisco on September 17, 1917. It referred to the arrest of two men for an alleged Fenian conspiracy having caused excitement. It wont on— There is every evidence of a terrible and bloody 1 revolution coming . in this country! Aftor a reference to a striko of iron shipbuilders, the letter continuedThere are strikes and riots all over the country, and men. arc being ■ shot down'in the streets here every . day. Tho Government is trying to stamp out the 1.W.W., which is regarded as a German-naid union. But every arrest only embitters the feel-, ings. Don't worry about America's entrance into the war. It is a blessing in disguise—the best thing that ever hapnened. It has thrown the Irish and Germans in this country together into a united mass, and the pro-Allies, such as Roosevelt and his crowd, are getting a dose of British diplomacy. ... If you have any subscriptions for guns sond them to Sydney. _ Ton know who I mean, and they will be transliinncd here and on to Berlin and Hamburg by direct meassenper. Get the bovs in gmyl heart, for the. outlook is Very bright. 1 Advice Abo'ut Dangerous Letters. 1 That lotter, said .counsel, made reference to being sent by a messenger. He had the envelope, which showed that, in ■fact, it had been posted in Sydney. In a letter from Dryer to Dalton, dated November 4, 1916, and foiind in the latler's possession, reference was unde to Mrs. L. (wife of Larkin, charged with the I.W.W. incendiaries), who had stated that her husband could not bo convicted.
.Counsel, continuing, said in a letter from Dryer to Dalton, dated November 1, 1917, tliero occurred a passage, "As there may bo a raid at any time it may be" as well to destroy any letters of a compromising or very, very carefully conceal them." Reference was also made to clerics not being able to take tho platform. Archbishop Kelly was spoken of as "that. oTil contemptible ceonin—a noted recruiting sergeant." ' , Mr. Kalston next referred to a halfyearly. report of tho Irish National Association dated December 31, 1916, which was found in. Dryer's possession. -In it- reference was iriado (o Dr. Toomey's lectures having done much to counteract Anglicising influences, which wero working against Uitolie ideals. Tho association claimed the support of all true Irish patriots for Ireland against "the power we, hate—Eygland—a hatred wo regard as . a virtue." .
In another report was:—"The Irish National Association is in full sympathy with all organisations which aim at the complete independence of Erin, tho only true aspiration of tho Irish race." Another extract read:—"We say to all people, lay or; cleric, who try to divide us, you arc wolves in sheep's clothing. There ' are no limits to tho onward march." The Role and the Man. In the next half-yearly report, Decembei 31, 1917 v further reference, was made to tho independence of Ireland, "whose stolen rights must be restored before any question of peace could be considered." They required an .Irish army pledged to redeem that right, without which all other advantages were futile. Reference was made to the' opening of a branch in Melbourne, which, however, owing to the adVerse .iniluenco of the Redmondites, had not been so successful as those of Sydney and Brisbane. Circulars addressed apparently to the Irish clergy, and collection slips, were found* in the possession of several of the accused. The collection slips were for tho Irish Ireland Fund, designed to assist Eamon de Valera and his followers to win the next general elections in Ireland, or to bo used otherwise at his or I heir discretion. ■ The clergy were asked ■ to- appeal to .their flock for subscriptions. "Sinn Fein is the role and de Valera is the man," ran'tko circular. "Now or never!" . . * • Counsel stated that on January 8, 1918, a money order' for ',£2O was sent byDryer to Doran in San Francisco. Iho suggestion )vas that the money was for the purchase of arms. A letter from Doran acknowledging the money slated: "It will be investigated by the firm in accordance with your wishes, making your total to date 191 dollars 80 cents. I trust business is good with you. It is certainly very brisk with us on this side. Our New York liouso is working overtimo every night, aiVd our local manager has several foreign orders on hauci, chiefly >for South America and Mexico."
Dryer, said counsel, was, on the paternal side, German by descent, his grandfather being '[Caspar Dryer, born in Hamburg; tho rest of his descent was Irish. All Dryer's relatives, with one exception, were members of tho Irish National Association. Many women belonged to the association, tho list of members obtained by tho military showing a. membership of between 11,000 and 12,000. A letter found in th 6 possession of Mrs. Weber, Dryer's mother, was dated September, 1916. It was in Dryer's handwriting, and in it was a reference to Ireland. It continued: "Every man is drilled and well armed and equipped, and another revolution is talked of.- I wish I were there.'" , When M'Gninness's place was searched a copy of a letter and a newspaper account of Fegan being fined and warned for prejudicing recruiting wero found. There was a .copy of Roger Casement's book, "Tho Crime Against Europe," a prohibited publication, and photos of the men executed for the tobellion in Ireland and of Countess Markiwicz, who was also a leader-in the rebellion. A warden's badge was also found. Constitution Drafted. .After tho Irish National Association had been formed here, Mr. Ralston continued, associations wern formed in Melbbiirno and Brisbane. Then was a proposal that there should be a union of the branches, and a constitution was apparently drafted. It .was found among M'Ciuinness's belongings. A circul'ir appuxlmg for assistance for those in distress us a result of tho Irish rebellion had been obtained, and when tho association's quarters were raided it was discovered that the money for that fund had been sent through perfectly legitimate channels. But on the back of the copy secured was D.oran's address, the words No. 2 (apparently the No. 2 circle of tho Irish Republican Brotherhood)— Dancing Class. Thero woro also ten names, A leaflet signed by Dryer setting out the social aims of tho association stated
that tho discussion of .religion was forbidden, also of politics, save those referring to the welfare of Ireland.
M'Sweeney appeared as No. 3 of (he New South Wales sub-circle No. 1 of the Irish Eepublican Brotherhood. Dryer was No. 1, and Dwyer, at present in Callan Park, was No. 2.
Kefercnce was made (o Iho North of England branch of the Irish Eepublican Brotherhood, in which one tf the rules stipnlatcd-vlial members should subscribe Is. a month for tho purpose of securing ,war "materials.
M'Qing was the head man of the second centre. No documents were found in his possession, though his name appeared on one of the seditious reports.
'When the first search was made at Dalton's place it was made by a member of the Victorian Police Force. The officer read the warrant, ami asked for the conrespondence relating to the Sinn Fein .organisation. Dalton explained that there was no Sinn Fein there. Dalton told him of the Irish National Association, with which ho was connected. Dalton admitted to the officer what his political aims were with regard to Ireland.
Among the documents found was a "recipe for a severe cold." The recipe wa9 in Dalton's handwriting, and consisted of three ingredients (which counsel said he would refrain ill ilie public interest from naming). Theso ingredients were practically similar to those used by tho'I.W.W. When Sainsbury found tho document ho told him it was the I.W.W. formula, and asked him where lie had got it. Dalton said he picked it up in (lie street. Sainsbury in-formed him thit it was in his own handwriting, and he then 6aid it had' been given to him by Jock Wilson, a member of tho 1.W.W.. "Wilson," said Mr. Ealston, "was not one of tho I.W.W. Twelve, but he was a member of tho 1.W.W." Mr. Ealston went on to refer to a rough diagram which was found amon» Dalton's belongings. lie did not wish to make much of it, buit it was capable ol representing a type of infernal machine. Dalton; in answer to Sainsbury, admitted having had a knowledge of dynamite when he was a miner in his young days, but ho said ho had no kno-vledgc of invisible inks. There was also a- plan ol a mine showing'the position of the battery and magazine. Sainsbury mentioned that it looked like a plan to blow up a magazine. Dalton made no reply. Perfrtlious Albion. A copy of a letter dated June It, 1910, wos loitnd in Dalton6 handwriting, It reccpimended Doran to Dovoy. He mentioned that ho was an old man, and said ho would live long enough "to seo perfidious Albion, humbled to the dust. Ho also made • reference to the Fenian troubled in Ireland in 1897. A ticket of membership of the Irish National Association was found in his possession. In M'Keown'ts possession was also found a ticket of membership, and a "roll of honour" of tho men executed after the Irish rebellion. There was also a letter from Dalton dealing with association matters. Thon, said. Mr. Ealston, thero camo into tho possession of the Defenco authorities two nost-cards, photographs ol which were talien. One of them was addressed to Mr. T. Fitzgerald, and the other to Dryer, in the handwriting, ot M'Keown. The matter on them was in Gaelic. Tho one addressed to Fitzgerald was as follows:— Faithful Friend-God and Mary bo with you, friend. Have you any news? Germany on top.and.lreland free. Do you quite understand what that means? 'Io hell with tho King, and Ireland for ever.
"No Woak-Kneed Irishmen." Tho Gaelic matter on the.second postcard addressed by iM'Keown to Dryer read:— Dear Friend,—3lay God bless you. I hope you arc strong. I am thinking N you will—(hero followed sonufc ' tiling, that could\not be nmdo out-). The Germans are' walking through Italy without any stay.' The Germans on ton and,lreland free. Uns is true, and to hell with the King. Do you understand that? Your friend to the end. Counsel read the minutes of a meeting held in Brisbane, on August 2*2, 101(5, at which a resolution was carried protesting against tho application, of conscription to Ireland, and stating that members were - prepared to sacrifice their lives if necessary rather than assist England in any way. . Minutes of meetings held by tno Queensland Irish National - Association during Mli and'. 1017 were read. One resolution adopted was a. request to the Pope and to President Wilson.that they should urge representation being given to Ireland at!the Peace. Conference. One of the minutes in Fitzgerald's handwriting referred to the establishment of branches of tho I.N.A. throughout Australia in order to further the cause of Ireland.
"Wo want no weak-kneed, Irishmen," rail a circular. Only men .were wauled who believed in the independence of Ireland. In a. memo, referring to arrangements for an entertainment it was stated that a number of-girls were' wanted right away to inafke Sinn Fein badges. Under a. War* Precautions Regulation,' "said counsel, these badges were illegal. * A leaflet, issued apparently during the Referendum campaign, commenced, •"Workers, the Empires in danger,-'' and went on . Every man who dons.khaki will be a scab on his mates, and when tho chance comes he must bo shot, and that time will come as-sure as Jesus is dead. Comrades, staiid by us. Hughps must be beaten, and if necessary, the fin-'! of tho Australian Republic must bo raised. At the bottom of the leaflet was, "Issued by Anti-Hun Society, Brisbane." Mr. Ralston read a letter, signed "Tom," and addressed to "Dear Eugenei" which ho said was found where Fitzgerald carried on business. In'the course of it it was stated that thousands had not reported for the home service camps during tho Referendum campaign, and that many of them were Irish. The writer admitted that he was one of those who had not reported, and said that if they waited till Domesday ihe/ would ■not get some of tho Sinn Fein Irish to report. - ' "They will tfnit a long time," the letter went on, "before I will shoot a single German or help tho British Empire in this war. . . . I will do toll in my power to see my country enjoy the freedom for which so many have given up their lives." The Defence Department had obtained possession of' a document from Mrs. M. M'Dermott, of Mackav, to the 1.N.A.. in Brisbane. It was a pledge to assist Ireland to obtain' her freedom. Counsel submitted it as-showing the kind of document used by the association in enrolling members. ' , ' This, said Air. Rnjston. concluded his most materia) evidence. .Matters of lesser importance be would submit later.
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Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 279, 14 August 1918, Page 5
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3,815THE GREEN FLAG Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 279, 14 August 1918, Page 5
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