AN IRISH REPUBLIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 July 1918, Page 6

AN IRISH REPUBLIC.

AIMS OF A BROTHERHOOD SENSATIONAL DISCOVERY IN , AUSTRIA. Cablegrams from Australia published in tho New Zealand press last week gave some particulars of a sensational discovery in the Commonwealth. Fuller details are given in files to hand from Sydney yesterday. The Daily Telegraph of • June 20th had the following report of a statement made in Melbourne by the Acting-Prime Minister (Mr Watt): — It Ims recently come to the knowledge of the Government that an Australian division of the organisation known as the Irish Republican Brotherhood has beeji formed in Australia. This body lias 'been secretly and systematically organised, and its object is the establishment of an Irish Republic, independent of Britain, during the war. An emissary inaugurated the movement in Australia, and then withdrew to another country, from which his efforts have since been directed. "Part of the plan of the organisation was to enrol volunteers, who were to be dispatched from Australia to' America, and thence to Ireland, to aid an armed revolution. The organisation in America was in touch with Germany, and money for hostile purpose was remitted from Australia. The members of this brotherhood in certain cftses have been active forces in the Irish National Association. ''Whilst the declared objects, of this association are quite consistent with loyalty and the employment of constitutional principles and methods, it is clear from some branch reports that sinister attempts have been made by the republican extremists to pervert these objects. These extremists have been using the Irish National Association as a cloak, apparently without the knowledge of the bulk of the members of that, association. "The facts having been ascertained and carefully considered, the Government determined to take prompt and decisive action this week. It simultaneously arrested seven of the ring-leaders in this conspiracy and interned them. For the fuller information of the people, and in the interests of jusiice, a public inquiry, as prescribed by the War Procautions Regulations, and presided over by a judge, will be held. While the Government feels that it should inform the people of this action and the reason for ihe precautionary steps taken, it wishes to assure them that there i 3 no occasion for alarm " SEVERAL ARRESTS IN SYDNEY Several office-bearers of the Irish National Association Were arrested in Sydney by the military authorities on Monday night (June 17th) and interned, it is stated, for the duration of the war. After lunch on Wednesday last a number of friends and relatives visited Victoria Barracks with the object of ob-> taining some information repecting the intentions of the authorities. It was thought the arrested men could be visited, but after a long wait the news filtered through semi-official channels that the three men had been taken to Darlinglmrst gaol. The Irish National Association was formed three years ago. The founder of the association was appointed hon. secretary at the time, and has continued in that position until the present. The membership roll had grown to over 1000. Under the direction of the founder, who has had a distinguished University career, and who has obtained his B.A. degree, the association established a pipers' band, an orchestra and choral society. It was rumored in Sydney last week that other arrests were pending. A number of members' homes were raided re-; cently, and papers and leaflets werescized. QUESTION IN PARLIAMENT, On the motion for the adjournment of the State Assembly on the Wednesday night Mr Doyle said he desired to draw the attention of the House to the fact that within the last 24 hours three men had been arrested, and neither their relatives nor friends could get any satisfaction as to the reaso'n^.' A member. ''What are their names?" Mr Dovlc: ' They reside at Enmore, Woolloomooloo, and Forest Lodge," There was no Ministerial reply.