New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-20
Kitchener Twice Ignored
Appeals Prior to Revolt,
Says Ex-Secretary.
HAD SEEN UPRISING
COMING FOR 2 YEARS
Events in Ulster Had Much to Do
with Rebellion, He Tells
Commission.

London. May io.-Lord Kitchener
twice refused TO send more troops 70
Dublin just previous to the revolt OF
the Sim Feiners, despite the urgent ap-
peals Of Augustine Birrell, who re-
signed as Chief Secretary for Ireland
after the uprising.
This was brought out to-day in he
testimony OF Mr.. Birrell before the
royal commission which ia conducting
an inquiry into the Irish rebellion. Mr..
Birrell stated that he had been uneasy
regarding the Sim Fein element in
Dublin for some time prior TO the out
break, and that he had appealed for
more troops in the belief that few
parades by formidable forces through
the streets of the Irish capital would
serve to allay the growing menace.
The presence of the Chief Secretary
aroused keen interest in view of the
dramatic testimony given by Sir
Matthew Nathan. former Under Secre-
tary for Ireland, at yesterdays hear
ing. Sir Matthew testified that the
government had had advance informa-
ton regarding the German plans for
aiding the Irish rebels.
Carson an Element Of Revolt.
"If the Home Rule bill had not been
placed on the statute books" said Mr..
Rirrell, there would have been great
= . n
both in ireland and in the United
States. which. when war came, would
have assumed alarming proportions.
The events in Ulster and the gun
running at Larne by the Obstetrics IN
1914 undoubtedly had a great effect on
disloyalists elsewhere.
"Sinn Feinism had spread all over the
place. The Sim Feiners were sick OF
Parliamentary parties and they de-
sired TO be left alone. | realized TOR
two years certainly that there was
dangerous movement in Ireland, but
after consultation with the various
Irish leaders | came TO the conclusion
that a policy Of non-interyention was
the safest. These armed bodies OF vol
unteers we're all over the place, and II
We could have got disarmament All
around it would have been an INFINITE
blessing, but to disarm any one section
of the population on the evidence we
had would have been dangerous ana
doubtful proposition"
Feared Trouble in Dublin.
Mr.. Birrell said he had daily re-
ports from the Royal Irish Constabu-
larry, and these reports were of such a
character that one could form a gen
eral estimate of the state OF feeling IN
the countryside.
"The state Of feeling varied very
much" Mr.. Birrell added. "lf a priest
was an anti-Sinn Feiner. Sim Feinism
died out, but if the priest was in favor
of it the movement was promoted. In
Dublin il was different. | always felt
that | was very ignorant of what was
going on in the cellars of Dublin, and |
was exceedingly nervous about that.
had heard that the castle was 10 be
taken.
81 had very decided views-so much
so that had conferences with Generals
Kitchener and French on March 20 ana
p to persuade them 70 send more sol
diers TO Dublin. | knew the people OF
Dublin should have evidence that Eng
land still had soldiers, and If soldiers
with bayonets and bands could be got
to parade the streets of Dublin 1t would
have had a great effect on the Sim
Feiners. The revolutionaries would
then have known there was force in
Dublin with which they would have TO
contend.
"The War Office replied that they
were very busy training men and that
the men could not be spared 70 be
transferred to Ireland. The military
authorities considered that they could
move troops from Liverpool as quickly
and as safely as from one part OF Ire,
land TO the other Lord Wimborne held
the same views that | did"
The commission adjourned until
Monday.