SINN FEIN OFFICE RAID.

Taihape Daily Times, 19 March 1919, Page 5

SINN FEIN OFFICE RAID.

POLICE DISCOVERIES Between 30 and 40 policemen and detectives raided the Sinn Fein headquarters in Dublin on January 11, and seized a number of documents The search occupied about an hour, and a crowd that collected in the street meanwhile sang Sinn Fein songs. Some Republican members of Parliament appeared, and inquired Under what authority the raid was carried out. A police inspector informed them action was taken under the Defence of the Realm Act. No resistance was offered to the search, and the police carried away large quantities of pamphlets and leaflets. Among them was a bill headed, “To the American soldiers and sailors in Ireland.” Some of the Sinn Fein officials stated that they did know how this document came into the office or where it had been printed. It contained the following sentences: “You have witnessed the blackguardism the people of Dublin have had to endure from the dnegs of English militarism. This is but a reflex of the treatment meted out to the Irish people by British politicians for centuries. Many of you are kinsmen of ours. Did you win this war in order to rivet Ireland’s chains? Wo helped you to win your independence Will you not help us to win ours?

Other papers seized were typewritten copies of a verbatim report of thi.' inquest on the victims of the mail steamer Leinster; the Sinn Fein general election payments book; “'Americans’ verdict on Easter week; Ireland’s claim to freedom;” a draft copy of a message to the free nations of the world which was to be issued by the Irish Constituent Assembly; and the “Declaration of Ireland’s Independwhich was to be issued by the same body.

Mr Harry Boland, one of the Sinn Fein members, had intended to deliver a lecture entitled “Easter Week” in a hall in the town of Rosconv'on On the instructions of the mHilary,

the police took possession of the hall early in the morning and posted a proclamation on the doors forbidding the lecture. No attempt was made to hold the meeting, and Mr Boland left for Dublin in the afternoon.