Evening star., 1918-05-26

working hand In hand with the Sim
Feiners and the Catholic clergy in op-
| posing the policy of conscription in
stituted by Premier Lloyd George.
and as a result of this the nationalists
were placed in an embarrassing posi-
tion because of their affiliations, un-
til John Dillon, their leader. made 1t
perfectly plain that his party, con-
with the Germans and that the ma
tionalists in fact supported England
and allied principles in the present
war.
Possibly the most startling de-
velopment during the past week was
Feiners were working hand in hand
with German agents in this coun-
try and that a large portion of the
funds used in perpetuating the cam
paign designed to weaken Britain's
effort against Germany were supplied
cif1c details have been announced,
but the bald announcement is suf-
fcIent.
All Irish parties. no matter what
the shades of their belief. are look
ing to America for support in their
fight against conscription and the
revelations in Washington and New
York undoubtedly will go far toward
pretudicing the Sinn Feiners in the
eyes Of clear-thinking American peo-
PiS"thOSS w uO may MPdthA6o WIN
the fundamental policies advanced
by the main body of Irish people.
but who refuse to permit their pen
sonal sympathies. to becloud the
issues as they actually exist.
Notwithstanding the claims made
by sinn Feiners that the recent ar
rests have been made in order to
becloud the conscription issue. the
British government evidently intends
to institute the volunteer system in
Ireland with the view Of giving 1t
a thorough test before forcing con-
scIiption. Announcement of this pol
! Icy in a way nulls the arguments
advanced by the radicals against the
British government.
Sensational developments may be
expected in the Irish situation in
| the immediate future.
4*
| There are many undoubted signs
that Germany and Austria have begun
| to screw
Czechs and Slavs down the
Continue Agitation. the POLISH Irv.
Czech and Jugo-Slav elements who
by their independence movements
have brought about a serious situa-
| tion and threaten to eventually un-
dermine the efforts Of the central
governments in the present struggle
Everywhere the Czechs and Slavs con.
tinue their agitation for separate gov
ernmental identity as against Teu-
tonic domination. Germans are as
sailed and the Austrian government
called a vassal. In some sections
there have been cheers in the streets
for President Wilson and Premiers
Lloyd George and Clemenceau. Ger.
man effort on the western front Ii
scorned and the Austrian moves fol-
peace ridiculed. The Slav movemen,
is gathering momentum in face Of
the desperate attempts of the Teu-
tonic governments to curb 1t.
The most noticeable outbreaks In
recent days have been in Bohemia
where in Prague. Ostrau. Pilsen and
Nachod the residents have become &C
Ioutspoken and unruly that martial
law has been applied. This means
that all persons against whom the
slightest suspicion is directed will be
incarcerated. II not worse punishment,
inflicted. In reality the degree OF
martial law will resolve itself into
a reign of terror II the people con-
tinue their outspoken demands upon
Austria and outcries against Ger
many.
| The Austrian government now work
ing under the orders of the kaiser
undoubtedly Is attempting to serve
German interests when 1t announces
a decree providing for the redivisior
of Bohemia into new districts. which
will give the minority Germans great.
er voice. and, in fact. give the Aus.
trian government a majority in par
lliament. which Is expected to resume
It's sessions June 1a II parliamen,
reconvenes 1t depends entirely or
whether or not the Austrian govern.
ment gets majority controls. fol
should the Czechs, Poles and Jugo.
Slavs continue to command the situa-
tion parliament will be a constant
danger to the Austrian government IL
view of the critical issues and dis.
satisfaction that have arisen over the
new alliance with Germany. which
cally dependent upon Berlin and placer
the nations armies at the beck ant
call of the German war lords.
The food situation In both Austris
and Germany has again come to tn,
fore as serious factor in determin
ing the length of the war or sustain
ed endeavor on the part Of the cen
trail powers. In Germany the breat
ration has been reduced materially
and as bread and potatoes are tn,
chief diet 1t is declared starvatto,
conditions are bound to prevail To-
the next three months. The condition.
in Austria and Hungary also are de
clared chaotic and hunger already Il
causing disease and death in man,
sections. The peoples Of all centra
|. powers are declared to be living Il
dread of the next three months. tina
period which must elapse before tn
new crops are to be harvested Il
. abundance and distributed to all sec
tions Of the central DowsrA