SINN FEIN

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 265, 3 August 1920, Page 5

SINN FEIN

CLOSELY ALLIED WITH BOLSHEVISM

IMPOSSIBLE TO GRANT

REPUBLIC

(By Telograph-Prcsß Association-Copyright

London, July 30.

Mr. Lloyd George • received a very large deputation of mentors of both Houses on tho subject of Ireland. Tho principal spokesman, was the Dulca of Northumberland, who quoted evidence in support of the contention that the Sinn Fein was closely allied with Bcl6hevistto activities, which aimed at tho destruction of the British Empire as an essential step to bring about the dictatorship of the proletariat. Ho urged the Government not to pursna & policy of drift.

Sir Edward Carson stressed tho existence of a world-wide conspiracy, which' only indirectly concerned iteelf with Home Rule in Ireland. No difference was drawn in tho propaganda of tho conspirators between the questions of Ireland, Egypt, and India, to which they were applying their fitteniion, because all were regarded as keys to tho Empire. It was required that tho Government should unmask tho disguised objects of Sinn Feinism for tha sake of the country and tho Empire. ■Mr. Lloyd George, in reply, said.the Government did not need convincing regarding the impossibility of granting an independent Irish Republio. He pointed out that although there was undoubtedly. Bolshevik support behind Sinn T'oinism. it would be a mistake to ponolude that it was purely a Bolshevik conspiracy. The Irish, feud was periodical, but the present outbreak was tho worst he remembered. It was necessary to strengthen the forwa in Ireland. Thousands of officers and men were required to put down the lawlessness. He would like to see the 6ame assistance by way of recruitment for that purpose osv-as given during the war. If (he British Empire surrendered control over Ireland, it would be equivalent to committing suicide. „ He invited the deputation to awa.it the introduction of tie new legislation, which would bo most drastic. Whatever happoned, Ireland could not be allowed tb leavo the Empire. He denied the report that armed guards were no longer provided for Government munitions pent on tho railwavs, and said that railwaymen wiio refused to convey_ military, gocds for the troops and police would continue to be instantly dismissed.

In the House of Commons, Mr. Boiwr Law announced that a Bill would shortly be introduced to deal with th» dlaordors in Ireland—Reutor. GENERAL LUCAS'S CAPTIVITY STORY OF HIS ESCAPE. (R-eo. August 2, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 2 The "Daily Express's" Galway correspondent has an exclusive story of Briga-dier-General Lucas's captivity. Ha was kept in various dwellings and farmhouses in three counties, was well treated "iand comfortable, and was guarded nighit and day. The restrictions on his liberty during the first few days in .Kerry County were (jailing. Three guards, with revolvers resting on ttioir knees, were at his bedside, and others, belonging to a rough peasant type, were outside the windows. The former, with whom he was in more immediate contact, vere considerate, and evidently solicitous, for his comfort. They spoke only of their experiences after the rebellion, but Genoral Lucas heard that houses to which he was successively removed were subsequently searched. by the police and military. The transfer always occurred at night time. Precautions were taken to prevent General Lucas ascertaining tho locality. The conditions of captivity in -Limerick .County wero immeasurably easier than those in Kerry. Whenever a new house was entered General Luca9 found everything prepared for- his reception. The da.y guard remained until relieved late at night, and after the guard was withdrawn from his bedroom lie was undisturbed until 10 o'clock in the morning. He was taken towards night fcr exercise and on fishing excursions. Tho window in tho last abode, north-eastward of New Pallas, was guarded outside by 6piked iron bars, during a torrential downpour, General Lucas forced a spiko aside, squeezed through, and escaped unobserved. Ho travensed fields and clambered for three hours over waUs, through hedges, sirub, and wire fences. Tho first streaks of dawn suggested that ho 'had taken the right direction. He told a peasant whom lit rtiet that he wished to return io tho police barracks, and asked the way. The peasant cheerfully gave the information General Lucas soon reached New Pallas, cold, wet, and bleeding. It is reported that he has left Qnecrastown for Lon-don—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. .

| SINN FEIN M.P. LIBERATED

LEAVING FOB UNITED STATES, London, August 1

Joseph O'Doherty, Sinn Fein member of tho House of Common*, has been unconditionally released from J/ondonderry gaol. The Sinn Filing had previously burned all the courthouses in his constituency, North Donegal, to prevent his trial. He is leaving in the Imporator for the United States.—Alio. N.Z. Cable Assn.

ATTACKS ON MILITARY AND POLICE

London, August 1. Thirty men ambuscaded near Cork a military motor-lorry carrying mails, and guarded by nine soldiers with a Lewis giin. The attackers threw a bomb into the lorry, seriously wounding five soldiers. They were beaten ofT after tho Lewis gun had fired a thousand rounds. Constable was shot in tho right leg in the main street of Youghal at midday, while returning from church. His assailant escaped. A military patrol, attacked «■' Pallas Green, killed one attacker an<f- wounded others.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.'

EQUIPMENT OF COASTGUARD STATION STOLEN. "

(Rec. August 2, 10.30 p.m.) London, August 2.

Sinn Feiners raided Rosslnre coastguard station, and stole the Verev lights and other equipment and essentials. Police, while, searching hedges, where tho military lorry was bombed, near Cork on Saturday, found five revolvers of a German pattern and somo bomb 6.

John Aherne, a civilian, was killed during nn attack. He wore tho uniform of an officer of the Republican army.

Firing, bomb throwing, and guerilla attacks on patrols marked tho enforcement of the curfew in Cork on Sunday. —•Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.