The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-19
Special cable Despotch 10 THn sus.

thorities of Ireland had detailed ad-
vance Information Of the plans and prep
a~rations for the recent evolutionary
outbreak in Ireland. Despite this knowl-
edge and despite The ever growing signs
that the Sim Fein plotters meant bust
ness. the authorities purposely closed
their eyes because they feared inter-
ference would cause bioodshed and be-
cause they hoped non-interference would
lead to the whole thing blowing over"
These facts were frankly admitted to-
day by Sir Matthew Nathan. whose re-
eignation an Under Secretary for Ireland
was forced as q result OF the rebellion
and who furnished some amazing data
to-day with regard TO the preparatory
stages of the revolt in testimony be-
fore the Royal Commission appointed to
investigate the causes thereof and to fix
the responsibility therefor AT its first
hearing In Parliament.
IL was not disclosed AT the hearing as
to whether the advance Information the
authorities in Ireland had vas commu-
nicated to Downing Street Sir Mat
thew asserted. however. that everything
he knew about the preparations for the
revolt was also known to his former
superior In Office, Augustine Dirrell. the
former chief Secretary for Ireland, who
also resigned under pressure hen the
rebellion was at It's height.
''Dcfcrr~d for Political Purposes.''
Asked toward the conclusion OF the
hearing by Lord Hardinge. President of
the Commission. why no action had been
taken by the Dublin Castle authorities
In the face OF all til. evidence Of "a
threatening revolt. Sir Matthew gave this
answer:
We deferred because we were afratd
to enforce the act forb,dding drilling
under rms W. deferred practically for
political purposes"
The only statement on Lord Hardinge's
part that indicated the commiss.ou's
view, after drawing the startling evil
dtnce from the witness was:
1T seems m extraordinary thing tina.
these people should have been permitted
to make n mimic attack upon Dublin
castle and that nothing whatever was
done to prevent it,"
Briefly summarized. this is What the
former Under Secretary said was known
TO him Of the Sim Fe!ners' preparations ;
That there were altogether 1920
rebels. 5000 In Dublin alone and IL. 900
In the provinces that the plotters a
1856 rifles. pistols and pop guns at their
disposal that they were openly and con-
stantly violating the statute r-quir!ns
permits for the bearing OF arms and
the statute against unlawful assembly
by openly and regularly drilling for The
Day" 90 shutting sham fights and train
ing women TO take care OF wounded.
Knew Plans for Combined Attack.
Sir Matthew also disclosed that he
knew the rebels were counting upon
German aid and already had been sup
pied with a certain quantity of Ger
man arms that three days before tho
rebellion started Information had been
obtained that the rebels reckoned with
"A combined German attack against Great
Britain by land. sea and air. and that
as Tar back as March Ii the younger
el.msn, among the linn Feiners and
Nationalist Volunteers were anxious 10
, .a.n,.. TIC revo!. Immediately. hu' wer"
Gained down by their leaders, who did
| not deem the time ripe.
Apart from these military prepara-
tons 1t vas also known To the author'-
tics ~ Matthew testified. tina. large
amounts 90 money were pouring in To-
the rebels from America. During the
period from September. 1914. until the
following April alone $50. 900 was de-
posted for them in Dublin banks. After
tha, the money was withdrawn and there
was no way to check W Subsequent
monetary aid.
SIR Matthew also disclosed FOR the
first time the fact that the military SER
vice tcr was one Of the indirect causes
, OF the rebellion. bitterly opposed 10 this
ac, as Ions az Ireland had no free
Government, OF it's own large numbers
Of National Volunteers and Others
ioiuel the Sim Fem movement and
subsequently took up the cause OF re-
! helliou 20 wrest such a Government rom
the British by Force. the witness testi-
fed
In tounciI When Attack beR"n.
The eN-t'nder Secretary was ANXIOUS
to assure the commission. however tna'
the Dublin authorities. while not "c'udl'E
br,oking ND IN. rebels. we're 10y no means
id,e In taking precautionary measures
When Il, was learned that III" rehels
wore relylng upon German AID, lie shih,
in. pollce and military along the 'oas'
we're instructed to Ice on Their guard
Plans were also under way, ne ad'ed
"a deal with the Sim foileFs move
ment.
As A matter ~ fact, on the very hlsh'
that an attack was maze upo, 49,
,a.tI. the authorities sat within' az
uh,r,.ns uron steps to queli the whole
r.vnIu,Ionary agitation. II was IN th'
cn,rse of these deliberations that sIu-
d,nly shots rang without, indicating tina
il was too late. ,
The ~,uthortns. 80 sir Matthew
ay,rred. had been c"nhdent mat 'he
total 81 i.b5o members OF 'n' '"n
~stnhulary were sufficient &" deai WI,
tn. situation should II become '''','"'
In mis- he admitted, they had made a
ris,aEc The witness added that the
r.hcls showed greater Organization hnd
.hI;,, and ,norr military Kill thal