AUTHORITIES' EXTRAORDINARY LAXITY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 38, 19 May 1916, Page 5

AUTHORITIES' EXTRAORDINARY LAXITY.

iwimic attacks on dublin castle permitted. rebellion. < Kerch ed C. 30 a.m.) London, May 18. ! Sir Matthew Nathan, continuing, said the authorities had discussed the questions of a police search under military protection, the forcible entry of Liberty Hall, disarmament of the Volunteers and the arrest of the leaders. The latter's association with a foreign enemy, however, was considered sufficient tojustfy their arrest, which was decided upon with the Chief Secretary's concurrence. Various acts of rebellion were notified on April 24, and pistol shots were heard while the situation was being discussed at the Castle. The disarmament of any body of organised and trained men not under Government control might have alienated the sympathies of many loyal Volunteers. Moreover, many Catholics in Ireland had enlisted in the Army. For these and other reasons, the Volunteers were not suppressed. The Constabulary was considered strong enough to 'cope with any disorders. A mobile jforce of two thousand men. five hundred mounted, and three machine-guns was always in readiness, and these, .with 2500 at The Curragh, was thought capable of dealing with an outbreak in Dublin, but contrary to expectations, it was not sufficient, the insurrection being conducted with greater organisation a"d skill than had been attributed to the Volunteers, who acted with great courage.

j Replying to questions, Sir Matthew Nathan said the regulations regarding the carrying of arms were not enforced in Ireland, because so many were carrying arms for a loyal purpose, and it would be regarded as trifling to require them to take out licenses. The Statute against illegal drilling was not enforced. »• The ; President asked why, and Sir Matthew Nathan said: "We were afraid to enforce the Act. . We were deterred practically for political purposes. MriJßirrell was aware' of the facts'" and we were aware that women were training ;to tend the wounded, and that shamfights word being practised for the capture of Dublin Castle.*" the President remarked that it was extraordinary they should have permitted a mimic attack.on the Castle without hindrance. Sir Matthew. Nathan: "We were accustomed to all sorts of operations in Ireland." He admitted 'it was an undesirable development, but he did not think it was meant to precede a real attack. In connection with the enemy landing, it was believed that interference would cause bloodshed, whereas it would blow over if ignored.

PRESS COMMENT. THE IRISH PRIVY COUNCIL. (Received 9.20 a.m.) London, May 18. The Manchester Guardian commenting on Mr A/iqnith's plans, recommends the enlargement of the. Irish [Privy Council, which should include 'men of all parties to carry on a harmonious- administration of the laws awaiting a full measure of Home Rule. NATIONALIST VOLUNTEERS AND THE CITIZEN ARMY. UNCOMFORTABLE DISCLOSURES'. (Received 10.15 a.m.) London, May 18. Sir Matthew Nathan explained that the manifesto previously mentioned was issued by the original provisional committee of the Irish Volunteers on ithe eve of the Premier's meeting on September 25, 1914. The manifesto regretted Casement's absence prevented his signing. Sir Matthew Nathan added : The day alter, John McNeill's Irish Volunteers issued a manifesto against forcing Irishmen into the army unless a National Government was established. Redmond's Nationalist Volunteers jleIclined to 165,000, and McNeill's rose; to 13,500. The National Volunteers [on the day of the outbreak numbered 105,000. Of the Dublin Corps of three thousand of the Citizen Army on Easter Monday, the majority belonged to ; Larkins' Transporters' Union under Connolly supported by the Irish Republican Fund, which was controlled by men acting with the utmost secrecy. There was believed to be close association between the Citizen Army and the Irish Volunteers, dated from the end of 1915, but they, doubtless, in recent months, worked as ono. There iwore twelve members of the executive; •committee of the Volunteers and the 'leaders constituted the inner circle, maturing the plans for the insurrecition.