The Daily News. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1918. THE IRISH ARRESTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1918. THE IRISH ARRESTS.

According to cabled information from America there seems to be no doubt that the latest trouble in Ireland has been engineered (by German agents. It is quite possible that the German Government may claim to have had no connection with the plot which has led to the arrest of a number of Sinn Feiners and pro-Germans, but there is a significance in the fact that the conspiracy should have been timed at this particular juncture in Irish a flairs when the conscription fiat has aroused the violent hostility of the Nationalists and Sinn Fein element. What evidence tiie Government may possess is mere matter of conjecture. It may be perfectly reliable and direct or only circumstantial, but knowing what we do of German methods it would appear at least probable that n scheme was hatched which combined a rising in Ireland and a promised German invasion. The latter is so preposterous thai ii-5 fulfilment can only be characterised aa a wild dream. With

i ! iat part of the conspiracy then' need be i,(i concern, but it is far different if the plot is brought home to even a small section of Irishmen who have testified to their disregard of law and order by raiding a castle for arms and committing other excesses inimical to the peace of the country. There is only one proper way of remedying grievances such as those which have existed .in Ireland, and the conference which lias been engaged in finding a reasonable solution of those grievances has shown that the British Government is prepared to make very great concessions to put an end to the strife which has been rampant for many years. The gift of self-government is one that has been demanded as the only measure that will satisfy the Nationalists, but now that gift is on offer comes a conspiracy which, if successful, would wreck Britain and the Empire. With the example of Germany's treatment of Ukraine staring them in the face in all its ghastliness, it is inconceivable that any people who valued their future existence could perpetrate such a supreme act of folly as to invoke so ruthless a Power to "become their taskmaster. Tho present is no time for a show of weakness against treason, oven if the number of traitors is small. The parties to this crime may have been carried away by a passing fit of intense feeling, but that is no excuse for rebellion. They arc, therefore, not in a fit state to be ut large and their arrest was a matter of vital necessity- ft by no means follows that they will lie harshly treated. There is not the slightest desire on the part of the British authorities to resort to extremes that would tend to make matters worse instead of better, rather is it their desire to remove the source of the trouble. At the same time it would be criminal folly not to deal with, the unfortunate episode with a firmness that the occasion demands. There is so much at stake that no conspiracy with the enemy can be tolerated for a moment, and it was most fortunate that the plot was brought to light before much mischief was done. The Nationalists now have nn opportunity of showing their good faith and their action will be awaited with much concern. The gravity of the situation is abundantly evident, the more so by reason of the hostility which conscription has aroused. The Sinn Fein leaders by allying themselves with Germany have plainly shown that it is not the removal of Irish grievances which is the operating factor of their aims, but the downfall of Britain, and the Empire. The Irish Government avoirs it ha s come to their knowledge "that certain subjects in Treland have entered into treasonable communication with the Germans," and intimates that drastic measures must be taken to put down this German plot. This is the only possible course to take. There is no shadow of a charge against the Irish people—only against "certain subjects," and it may he that even the Sinn Feiners as a whole are not inculpated. We hope not. At the same time it is imperative that drastic measures must be taken to put down this German plot. That is the main point. Germany is now in such desperate straits that she would move heaven and earth to wreak vengeance on Britain and it is deplorable that she can find willing tools to play her game.