IRELAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1916, Page 5

IRELAND.

THE ROYAL COMMISSION. EVIDENCE OF UNDER-SECRETARY. London, May IS. ILord ilardinge is presiding over the commission on the Irish rebellion. It is proposed to inquire what system existed to acquaint officials with the movements culminating in the" outbreak, what information each responsible official obtained, to whom it was communicated and what steps were taken. Sir Matthew Nathan, Under-Secretary for Ireland, gave evidence that the National Volunteers were formed in answer to Ulster's organisation. He next read the manifesto of the majority of the provisional committee opposing Ireland's participation in the war. Of 18,000 members prior to the manifesto only 11,000 adhered to the disloyal section. The vast bulk declared their loyalty to Mr. Bedmond and the (Parliamentary Party. He also read a manifesto in Which the disloyal section declared that henceforth Ireland should provide its own defences by means of a permanent army and trained volunteer forces. It also declared that they would forcibly resist any attempt to place Irishmen in the military service until a free national government was established. An impetus was given to the National Volunteers owing to the fears that the Service Bill would apply to Ireland. This brought numbers into the Sinn Fein movement who at the beginning of tlie disturbance were estimated at 15,200, including 12,0d0 in the provinces. Considerable sums from America were used to purchase arms and for the printing of seditious newspapers and leaflets. Paid organisers were sent to the provinces. The police estimated before the outbreak that these volunteers had 1880 rifles, pistols, and pc-p-guns. There "ere about 825 rifles in Dublin alone. Explosives were found in different places. Steps were taken to prevent civil servants joining the volunteers. Action against seditious literature was less strict. The Irish Government considered it important that the Irish j Volunteers should not become a military organisation, and steps were taken to prevent them securing arms and ammunition. I

Until three days prior to the out/ break there was no definite proof of any connection with the. foreign enemy. A memorandum reported to have been found upon a pro-German leader stated that the Germans intended a combined offensive by land, air and sea to secure victory before May, and requesting the Irish Volunteers to render their promised assistance.

The young Irish Volunteers on March' 10 rere anxious to commence business immediately, but the leaders were against a rising, MacDonagh stating that it would be sheer madness to attempt it unless help was forthcoming. They received a report on March 27 that a rising of the volunteers was not feared, as they were standing alone and were not prepared for a long campaign, ,and the majority were not trained to encounter trained troops. The volunteers gradually endeavored to secure rifles and 'ammunition and store as large a quantity as possible. This pointed to a real danger, but it was considered that Government raids for arms or attempted disarmament would cause bloodshed. The Castle received information that German submarines would attempt to land arms. Here Sir Matthew Nathan stopped, and said he had better not read the remainder of the statement. He added that the police and military on the coasts were ordered to watch. Learning that the Castle would be attacked the same night, special precautions were taken.

Sir Matthew Nathan, continuing, said the authorities discussed a police search under military protection, the forcible entry of Liberty Hall, the disarmament of the volunteers, and the arrest of the leaders. The latter's association with the foreign enemy was considered sufficient to justify their arrest, which was decided with the Chief Secretary's concurrence.

Various acts of rebellion were notified on April 24. 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, and moreover many Catholics in Ireland had enlisted. For these and other reasons the volunteers were not suppressed. The constabulary was considered strong enough to cope with any disorder. A mobile force of two thousand men, five hundred mounted men, and three machine-guns was always in readiness. These, with 2500 at the Curragh, were thought capable of dealing with an outbreak in Dublin, but, contrary to expectations, proved insufficient. The insurrection was conducted with greater organisation and skill than had been attributed to the volunteers, who acted with great courage. 'Replying to questions, Sir M. Nathan said the regulations regarding the carrying of arms were not enforced in Ireland because so many were carrying arms for a legal purpose. It would have been regarded as trifling to require them take out licenses. The statute against 'illegal drilling was not enforced. The President asked why.

Sir M. Nathan: We were afraid to enforce the Act, and were deterred practically for political purposes. Mr. Birrell was aware of the facts, aware ,tlist women were in training to tend the wounded, and that sham fights were practised for the capture of Dublin Castle. The President remarked that it was extraordinary that they were permitted to make mimic attacks on the Castle without hindrance. Sir M. Nathan: We were accustomed to all sorts of operations in Ireland. He admitted that it was an undesirable development, But did not think it was meant to precede a real attack in connection with an enemy landing. Tt was believed that interference would cause bloodshed, whereas it would blowover if ignored. Sir M. Nathan explained that the manifesto previously mentioned was issued by the original provisional committee of.lrish Volunteers on'the eve of the 'Premier's meeting on September 25, 1014, The manifesto regretted Sir Eoger Casement's absence, which prevented his signing it. Sir 11. Nathan added that the day after John McNeill's Irish Volunteers issued a manifesto against forcing Irishmen into the army unless a National Government was established, Mr. Redmond's Nationalist Volunteers declined to 165,000 and McNeill's rose to 13,500. The National Volunteers on the day of the outbreak numbered 105,000, including Dublin's corns of 3000 in the Citizen

On Easter Monday the majority belonged, to Larkin's Transporters Union, under Connolly, supported by Hie Irish Republican Fund, which was controlled by men acting with the utmost secrecy, and, it was believed, in close association with the Citizen Army and Irish Volunteers. This dated from the end of 1015, but they doubtless, in recent months, worked as one with twelve of the executive committee of the Volunteers and the leaders of the Citizen Army," The leaders constituted an inner circle, who matured plans for insurrection. MR. ASQUITII CRITICISED.,. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, May IS. Thq Times, in a leader, said: "We do not modify our opinion of Mr. Asquith's inadequacy for the leadership of a war government. While he is credited with an unusual capacity for grasping political difficulties, he seems to have used his time in Ireland consulting the various elements of local opinion. "This is no time for a complete recasting of policy. The Home Rule Bill is on the Statute Book; let it remain there. Were we disposed to suggsst the most practical temporary solution of the Irish questions it would 'be to take them up exactly where they were left two years ago. Neither Mr. Redmond nor Sir 15. Carson can .bind his followers, but they are still outstanding figures. Both have shown a zeal for the war, which is the supreme motive for restoring peace in Ireland. Renewed discussion between them might lead to some form of provisional government, It would be an immense relief and assistance in dealing with the rest of Ireland to have the Ulster question out of the way." IRISH ERIVY COUNCIL London, May 18. The Manchester Guardian, commenting on Mr. Asquith's plans, .eeommends an enlargement of the Irish Privy Council to include men of all parties to carry on the harmonious administration of laws, awaiting a full measure of Home Rule. A SENSATIONAL STATEMENT. Received May 19, 5.5 p.m. London, May IS. A sensation was caused at the Commission when Sir M. Nathan said that he had communicated with Messrs Redmond, Dillon and Devlin about the state of Ireland. He added: "I was unable to communicate with Mr. T. Healy, who had said things about me that made it impossible." MR. ASQUIT|H AT CORK, Received May 10, 10.40 p.m. London, May 19. Mr. Asquith, at Cork, was interviewed by municipal bodies, the clergy, and military and police officers. He received an ovation on leaving for Londoa

TROOPS SEE RED, GENERAL MAXWELL'S STATEMENT Received May 19, 10.40 p.m. London, May 19. Many accusations of brutality ;;g.iinst the troops are current in Dublin, including an accusation that soldiers killed unarmed and unoffending citizens. General Maxwell, in an interview, said that the most desperate fighti'ig occurred in north King Street. The rebels fired from rooms and the upper windows, moving- from house to house, sometimes escaping through back doors and then firing on the troops from behind. Each house has been searched, and the troops found rebels always hiding behind women. They threw away their rifles and herded like timid citizens with their wives in the cellars. It was difficult to control troops in such circumstances, and when they saw their comrades killed by uniformleas and treacherous assailants, some may have "seen red." General Maxwell said that he had ordered the strictest enquiry, and will parade the battalion concerned to see if the accusers can identify the officers and men responsible. Some of the allegations are falsely made, and he has given orders to establish for others a claim on the Government for compensation,