SINN FEIN ORGANISATION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 42, 13 November 1920, Page 9

SINN FEIN ORGANISATION

SECRET OATH-BOUND SOCIETY. The following particulars of the constitution and objects of the "Irish Republican Brotherhood," commonly known as tho "Organisation." were published recently. by the London "Morning Post." The obiect of the "organisation" is de-, dared to be tho maintenance of a "Free and Independent Republican Government in Ireland." Secondly: "Thelrish Republican Brotherhood shall do its train and equip its members as a mili'tary body for the purpose of securing tho. independence of Ireland by force of arms: it, shall secure the co-operation of all Irish military bodies in the accomplishment of. its object, and eh'all sup-port-every- movement calculated to advance the cause of Irish national independence—consistent with tho preserva-, tion of its own intergrity." Every -Irishman, irrespective of class or creed, who has a character for "patriotism. truth, valour, sobriety, and j obedience to superior officers," and who accepts the constitution is eligible. Names must be proposed to a "Circle," who will delegiito an.- investigator. In cities a "District Board" investigates. No candidate can belong to any other ! oath-bound society, and he takes tho following oath: "In the presence of God, I ... do solomnlv swear that I will do my utmost to establish tho national independence of Ireland,- that I will bear truo allegiauco to the Supreme Council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and Government of the Irish Rspublic: that I will implicitly obey the constitution of. the Irish Republican Brotherhood and all mv superior officers, and preserve inviolato the secrots of the organisation. So help mo God." ■•Special precautions are taken to prevent tho admission of Freemasons and Oraneeinen. The organisation has for. a unit tho "Circle" or an officer called the "Centre" arid a "sub-Centre." Circles are formed of sub-sections of ten men each. The counties have "districts." The Supreme Council is made up of ten members, elected one from each of the divisions into which Groat Britain and Ireland are divided, including Ulster, the South of England, the-North of England, and Scotland. Pour members are co-opted. Each member of the ''organisation" pays a monthly feo of sixpence. Any member may bo suspended for abstention from Circle meetings without valid excuse. failure to pay fees or levies for purchase of arms, loss of arms, speaking oE the "1.R.8." other than at Circle meetings, etc. He may be tried by court-martial and punished. REPRISALS AGAINST ENGLISHMEN THREATENED IN THE UNI 1 . :ID , ' STATES. , 1 New York, November 11. The New fork "Times" correspondent at AVns'iiinston states that the British Embassy has brought to thei State Department's attention & copy of a message from the Amalgamated Irish Societies of America., received by Sir Hnmnr Greenwood (Chief Secretary. for Ireland),, threatening reprisals against Englishmen in the United States if reprisals in Ireland continue after November 14. Tho State Department will have tho Department of Justice investigate'the source of the message. The polico guards around tlio British Embassy have been increased and largo lights illuminate tho rear of tho building. . , Sinn Fein representatives in New York denty any connection with the message. They declare that no organisation such as the Amalgamated Societies cxists.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aran.