The Washington herald., 1917-09-09
Sim Fein Chiefs Continue
Fight for Irish Liberty
Members of Order, Released from Jail, Admit That
GermanyIs Their Friend; American
- Officers Are Hissed

tionalist factions which three years
ago were marching troops about and
threatening war to the knife. But
there was a good deal of bluff in
the Carson military preparations,
and in the counter preparations
of the Boyne, and most moderate
Irishnen are aware that there is no
bluff about Sim Fein. The present
leaders have gone up on the roof,
as they say in Dublin, against the
whole might of the British Empire,
once, and they say with engaging
frankness that, If they cannot OBJ
tain complete independence in any
other way, they intend to do so
again.
Since the suppression of the Dublin
revolt, which was planned to extend
all over the country. but went OF at
half-cock, it seems probable from all
1 can learn that arms have been
smuggled to the Sim Feiners, from
Germany, by means of cargo sub
marines, which put in lonely bays on
the almost deserted West coast. This
is widely believed to be true in Dublin.
I have been assured by prominent
members OF the convention that they
know of German arms imported in
this manner. Che Sim Fein leaders
themselves, with all their remarkable
willingness to discuss their plans and
position, refused to tell me whether
Hindenburg is helping them out with
rifles or machine guns. hand grenades,
flame-throwers, or cylinders OF poison
gas weapons all OF which figure in
Dublin rumor.
Ireland is under martial law. There
is something comic in the Sim Fein
complaints Of militarism and oppres-
sion against the British method of
handling the situation here 1 dis
cussed the situation briefly with Gen.
Sir Bryan Mahon, commanderin-chief
OF the considerable British forces in
Ireland, but am not at liberty to
quote him. Two illustrations will show
to what extremes the authorities are
going to their desire not to provoke
the Sim Feiners.
Through the first two days OF the
convention, no British flag was flying
in Central Dublin. But a block away
from the convention hall. some Irish
Barbara Freitche had flung to the
breeze a republican flag of red, green
and white. 1t fiuttered over the heads
Of the delegates as they walked tc
made to remove it.
Sim Fein Bank.
Over the front of the building oc-
cupied, since his release from his life
sentence for treason, by Arthur Grif-
fifth at Harcourt street. are stretched
in large brass letters the words, "Sinn
Fein Bank" and Mr.. Griffith and his
friends, there edit and publish the
official organ of Sim Fein. now called
Nationality" which continues its
propaganda with a certain regard for
the censorship, but no concealment
OF its sentiments and aims.
Only one grievance against the mar
tial law now enforced in ireland can
be expressed against the Castle au-
thorities today that was not available
before the Dublin revolt. The Sim
Fein soldiers are no longer allowed
to drill in the streets, dig trenches in
the city parks, or rehearse undis'
! turbed their planned attacks on Dub,
lin Castle and other strategic points
as they did in the early months OF
1916.
The facts about Sim Fein appear
to be that it is led by the survivors
of the leaders Of the Easter week re-