New-York tribune., 1916-04-26
The Revolt in Ireland.

II Dublin was taken by surprise il was
not for want of due warning. Nearly five
months ago. when the member for North
Wcstmeath complained in the House Of
Commons that the government had begun
to treat the Irish Volunteers as an illegal
organization, the Chief Secretary for Ire
land replied that the committee in control
of that irregular body of troops had been
engaged in constant endcavors to obstruct
recruiting and to foment disloyalty. This
was no news 10 his interocutor. nor. in
deed. TO any one in the least acquainted
with the state of affairs in Ireland. but it
was the first frank acknowledgment by n
minister that there was the slightest rca-
son to apprehend serious revolt
Since then matters have gone from bad
to worse. The English papers have spoken
but little Of the signs Of unrest and have
generally made light Of the disturbances
reported from time to time. But now and
then there have been unmistakablc signs
Of anxiety, and il was made clear enough
that the loyalists in Ireland were by no
means satisfied with the drifting policy OF
the government. The censor may have
been responsible in some measure for the
silence of the press, but the chief cause
was undoubtedly a general unwllingness
to cmbarrass the government in dealing
with a problem full of difficulties. The
government accordingly did nothing
- Il, i J.l,c,,1.,. Locra,, bofcro h.
and is directly attributable to the notorious
policy Of wait and see" The fatal folly
Of suffering the rebels Of Ulster to arm
and train their men in defiance Of law and
constitution led inevitably to a counter
demonstration on the part Of their oppo-
nents and when war broke out Ireland
was divided into two armed camps. 1t
was impossible suddenly to disarm the
rival volunteers, but at one stroke Mr.
Redmond undertook 20 solve the difficulty
by declaring that Ireland would stand
Loyalty by England in resisting German
aggression. II was only temporary solu-
tion. for many Of his followers were plain
ly dissatisfied with his declaration of 10y
atty and their resentment was made abur
dainty apparent when Home Rule was in
definitely postponed. The majority stuck
By him. but considerable minority re-
pudated him utterly as one who had
thrown away the most glorious opportu-
nifty imaginable to force England's hand
This minority has worked steadily
against Redmond and the government ever
since and little or nothing has been done
10 control It's activities. Mr. Birrell. VINO
>pcnds most Of his time IN England seems
deliberately 10 have shut his eyes 10 the
signs OF sedtion and disloyalty apparent
everywhere, ignoring the warnings Of
those who were most capable Of informing
him Of the true state of affairs. Not that
any extraordinary insight was needed to
realize the danger, for the rebels were
quite open IN their opposition to the gov
crnment. They grew boldcr every day.
spread their seditious writing broadcast,
and frankly congratulated themselves in
one Of their numerous Journals on the
lack Of those elements Of secrecy which
we're such a weakness in the mo, cments Of
the past"
/ The Irish executive was apparently
afraid 10 act though IT was quite evident