Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-22
British Authorities Unearth
Details of Widespread
Conspiracy. ]
AM ERICA AS MEDIUM
Captains Boy-ed and Won
Papen Guide Activities
in U. s., Claim.

London. May 9.-(Correspond.
ence of The Associated Press.)-
This is the history as told by
authorities here Of the widespread
fated uprising in Ireland which
plunged the Emerald Isle, for
period. into reign of blOOdshed
and destruction. 1t is story to
the effect that the Sim Fein Or
ganizatiOn was used as a pawn in
the game played by Berlin, and
revOlutiOnists in America, and Of
how the failure of the revolt was
made doubly sure by the inabil-
ity of Germany to carry out i'm
pOrtant feature of the plan. These
facts have been gathered from
authentic British sources and are
presented under the censorship.
The plot had its inception shortly
after the beginning of the war when
certain Irishmen and German authori-
ties conceived the idea of utilizing the
Sim Fein organization for a revolt
the Germans being actuated by the
purpose of weakening Great Britain
and the others having desire to OBJ
tain revenue for alleged political
wrongs. At that time the Sim Fem
ers, who had organized because of
jealousy of nationalist volunteers, had
no definite idea of starting revolu-
ton. They accepted the plan, how
ever, and eventually fell victims to
the scheme
The name of Sir Roger Easement
appears prominently throughout the
story
Sir Roger went from America to
Christiania late in 1914 under an as
sumed name. He conferred with the
German consul and proceeded to Ger
many. Coincident with his arrival III
Berlin certain officials placed their
guarantees of assistance back of an
Irish rebellion. 1t was thought a
revolution could be successful and
plans for furthering the movement
made. According to this account Ger
many agreed to furnish money, arms
and men to assist the Sim Felners
and is said to have agreed to an in
vasion of England which would pre-
vent soldiers being sent into Ireland
by the British.
America Used as Medium.
America was made the medium OF
communication between Berlin and
Ireland Certain Irishmen in the
United States enlisted their services
and Captains Boy-ed and Won Papen,
the then German naval and military
attaches at Washington, together with
numerous others, some of whom are
now under arrest in America, are said
to have done their part in furthering
the plans. The carrying of funds and
information to the Sim Fuiners was
done largely by Irish sympathizers in
America who were able to visit their
home and without question.
Shorty after Easements arrival in
Germany he published charges that
that the British minister at Christiania
had tried to have him assassinated.
His accusations against the British
minister are said to have been the in
itial step in a publicity campaign to
gain sympathy.
The next intelligence received in
London concerning Sir Roger was
ported that he was trying to recruit
Irish soldiers from prison camps to
fight against England. Some men
agreed to his proposition, were given
freedom and furnished with the green
uniform of the Sim Feiners. This lot
ting went on until November, 1915.
Then there was a lull. The Germans
had grown tired of Easement. Case
ment himself retired to Munich, where
ii was reported he was in poor health.
Germans Tire Of Easement.
After considerable spell of COM
parative inactivity, those persona in
the United States who were taking a
part in the engineering of the revolu-
zion became weary of waiting for de-
velopments and sent man to see Case
Continued On Page Nine)