IN IRELAND

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1920, Page 2

IN IRELAND

SINN FEIN OPERATIONS. (By Electric Telegraph—Co lvright.i LONDON, Jan. 16. A “Daily Mail” correspondent in Dublin gives a review of the Sinn JFein movement in Ireland, and refers to its solidarity and unity. The correspondent says that the main strength of the Sinn Fein Army, comprising, (he states) one hundred and fifty thousand men, lies in the South of Ireland, the midlands, and the west of Ireland. “It is not an army that is trained or equipped, even for guerilla warfare; yet nevertheless it is an organisation that contemplates a rising on a scale far bigger than that of 1918. It thinks of a rising when the leaders consider that American support will be possible.” The correspondent goes on: “The Irish Sinn Fein Parliament Cabinet often meets. The Government has been hunting several members of this Cabinet for two years, but without success; though they have seldom moved outside a radius of two miles from Dublin Castle. There are Sinn Fein secret agents, who bring information of every impending Government move; but the Government has never anticipated one Sinn Fein coup.”

“No Sinn Feiner lias ever turned informer, although they have been promised big rewards; and also special Government protection anywhere in the

Empire.” The correspondent says: “In ihe great battle with the Government, which is now proceeding in Ireland, Hie Irishmen are not showing to disadvantage.” The Government is stated to have searched vainly for the Sinn Fein Republican bombing and explosive schools of instruction, and even For military aeroplanes, but is failing to discover any trace of such.

The correspondent adds that Americans recently dined with Lord French (the Viceroy) at the Vice-Regal Lodge. When they returned home, they. received a mysterious caller, who eloquently stated the case for Sinn Fein. He was a leader for whom the police eve 'been seeking for two years. After the interview, he vanished as mysteriiotisly as he came.

SINN FEIN ACTIONS. LONDON, Jan. 16. In an election affray at Cork Sinn Feiners used revolvers and grenades. A large force of police quelled the disturbance. Alany Sinn Feiners were arrested. Three were wounded and sent to the hospital. Irish motor driver strikers wrecked the Under Secretary’s car and damaged the machinery. Similar attacks on cars were made elsewhere. SINN FEIN HELP. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 16. It is now admitted that the Secretary of the Sinn Fein Executive in Cork has arranged patrols of Sinn Feiners for the purpose of co-operating with the police on night duty with a view to speedily dispersing a. number of robbers who have begun to infest that part of Ireland. A large, force of police and soldiers in .motor lorries made a five mile circuit from Trnlea and arrested eleven men in connection with an attack on Sergeant Sullivan.