New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-24
Plot to Land Arms
Is Exposed by the
Premier in Par.
Lament
Rebels Openly
Welcome Germans
Redmond's M otion
Criticising Govern
ment Voted Down
by Commons

LONDON, Oct 23.-Premier Lloyd
George told the House OF Commons to-
day that the British government has
information that Count Johann Won
Bernstorf, former German Ambassador
to the United States, and others are
making arrangements to land arms in
Ireland and assist in a new revolt
there.
This statement was made In the
course Of the discussion on the motion
of John z. Redmond, leader OF the
Irish party in Parliament, for a resolu-
ton declaring the House Of Commons
deplored the present government pol
icy in Ireland.
The Premier said that the govern
ment could not possibly forget what
had happened only eighteen months
ago. These speeches could not be treat
ed as excited speeches delivered By
persons of no consequence, which
WOu!u eHu IN HOIHiHB
Firm Action Needed
an order to save those poor people
who honestly believed they were doing
their best for their country from be-
ing persuaded by others" continued
the Premier, II thought It essential
that the government should take &C
, ton, not provocative action, but firm
action.
There are three things the govern
ment ought to make clear in the inter
ests Of Ireland. First, Indictment TO
rebellion cannot be permitted. The
Germans nearly landed arms for that
purpose eighteen months ago. We
know that arrangements are being
made for arms to be landed again, and
We know that it is partly done By Won
Bernstorff. Second, thing no govern
ment can permit is organization for re-
beilion."
After referring to the drilling and
the marching going on in Ireland and
the exhortations Of De Valera, the Pre-
mer declared that what was going on
in Ireland was a deliberate attempt TO
enroll and drill Thousands c fyoung men
who in England would have been
compulsorily enlisted-in preparation
for rebellion.
Won't Permit Secession
The third point was that there was
a deal of talk in Irelang among the
Sim Fen leaders, which, said the
Premier, did not mean Home Rule or
government, but separation or
secession. There was a demand for the
sovereign independence Of Ireland, and,
declared the Premier. I'VE had better
say at once that under no conditions
will Great Britain permit anything Of
that kind"
Henry E. Duke, Chief Secretary FOR
Ireland, describing the situation in
detail, said the Sim Fein leaders did
not conceal the fact they would well
come German aid. The Sim Feiners.
he asserted. were drilling and making
other preparations for a second upris-
ing. He said that last February the
British government had deported pris-
oners from Ireland because Germany
was again offering a helping hand to
the Sim Feiners.
Ex-Premier Asquith said he believed
new scheme Of government acquiesced
in by majority OF the Irish people
would soon be presented to Parliament
At the conclusion OF the debate Mr
Redmond's motion was put 20 vote
and lost, by 2l1 to rs.
Mr.. Redmond's motion read:
This House deplores the policy
which has been pursued by the Irish
executive government and the Irish
military authorities at time when
the highest interests OF ireland and
the empire demand the creation o.
an atmosphere favorable 10 sue.
! NcooANl u TIC
OF the Irish convention"
Sees End Of Convention
In discussing his motion, Mr.. Red
mond said he was convinced there wa,
grievous danger of destruction Of III,
Irish convention If the policy at pres
ent pursued by the Irish authorities
was continued.
Mr.. Duke, replying to Mr.. Redmond
said that the recent troubles in IrelanS
had arisen because the convention wa,
doing well and the Sim Fem leader
wish it to fail. He said the govern
ment intended to do its utmost to pre-
vent criminal acts with such intention
The belief was expressed by Mr.. Duk
that the convention was on the eve o
solution of its problems. He ar
nounced that while the constitution wa
in the making the government would d
its utmost TO avoid the policy OF mak
ing arrests, which he considered a
likely only to help the secessioni.
propaganda.
The Secretary did not complain O
the motion or OF Mr.. Redmond's crit