The sun., 1918-05-20
BRITAIN GETS
PROOF OF SINN
FEIN INTRIGUE
Republicans BOasted of
Treaty for Landing of
Guns and Munitions.
PRISONERS GO TO WALES
Count George Plunkett Among
the % Men Who Have Been
Transported. \
Sptcia' cable Despatch to TRE SrN.

Sptciai cable Despatch to THe SrN.
Copyright. 1918: all rights reserred
LcNpoN. May 19.-It Ia said on excel
Isn't authority that the Government is
IN possession Of conclusive evidence that
many of the Sim Fein leaders are UP to
the neck in German intrigues A despatch
from Cork asserts that recently II has
'een stated by persons prominently con-
rected with the Sim Fein that the re-
publ can party has a treaty with Ger
many and that there would be soon
large landing of guns and munitions on
the coast.
Whether this Is mere boasting remains
70 ne seen. 1t is fact. however. that
= considerable section Of the Sim Fein
ie determinedly opposed to any dealings
with Germany and that a revolution
pot would be certain to have a dam
,zins effect on the Sim Fein organixa-
ton.
With tho news reaching London to-
day that Count George Plunkett. who was
elected to the House Of Commons as the
s.nn Fein candidate in 1917. had been
arrested in the raid. 1t also became
known here that more than seventy Of
the prisoners had been placed aboard a
ship at Kingston. ireland. and started
for Holyhead. Wales.
In the revolt Of Easter week in 1916.
Count Plunkett was arrested with the
Countess and three Of his sons Later
re was released with strict orders to
leave Ireland. which he did. At the
sanne time. Joseph. one OF his sons. was
executed. and two other sons. George
end John. also were sentenced to death.
Later their sentences were commuted to
Ten years in prison. The charges against
tne sons was completely In the revolt
pot
Refused to Take Oath Of Loyalty.
Count Flunkett has been a leader in
the Sim Fein movement as member of
'he executive committee OF the organiza.
ton Following the custom of other Sim
lem leaders he refused to take the oath
Ct loyalty to the Crown that he might
o.tupy his seat In the Commons. He is
known as man OF high attainments
sri is a member OF many historical and
semitic societies. included in them be-
iS the American Irish Historical So
'tty Of New York, in which organiza- =
ton he is vice-president.
The future OF conscription in Ireland
and the attitude that John Dillon and
,he Nationalist party will take OF the
Governments action in arresting the
Enn Fein leaders is now the question Of
fe greatest Importance. II Is assumed
ty many that the statement Of Viscount
French, the Lord Lieutenant. In his
iroclamation that voluntary enlistment
would he encouraged in the hope that
without resort to compulsion Ireland's 9
contribution to the army would be
brought up in proportion to that OF the
'lher parts OF the empire means that
t'nscription in Ireland will be aban-
Sgned,
Drastic Measures for Dialoyal.
In Government circles there seems to
b" suggestion that what Gen. French
meant was that II enough Irishmen en-
ist Voluntarily it may not be neces'
tary to apply compulsion. There Is nc
evidence available that the Government
''htemplates any change in its an
rounced folicy; what does appear evi
cent is that the policy OF conscriptior
with justice is to be extended to al
loyal clements in ireland. Nationalist Al
Wei as unionist. while drastic measures
NIL he applied In dealing with the dis
ioyal element.
= The sunday Chronicle is convinced thai
'sh conscription has been dropped bJ
lie Government. 1t says
IT is true that the words without
eompulsion In Lord Frenchs proclama'
ton are TO some extent made condi-
aonal on the voluntary response beinl
satisfactory, but it may safely be inter
T7eted as dropping the idea of conscrip
ZION altogether. Throughout England nc
less than throughout Ireland the peo
pie generally will learn this with feel
Nss Of great relief.
No one denies that ireland Is no
paying and never has played her prope
part in the war. but the policy Of forcini
her TO do 80 by conscription was not onl,
found TO fail. but would have been ~
sct Of criminal insanity.
II is understood that Chief Secretary
snort, who voted against conacrtption u
ireland in tho House of Commons
made Il a condition OF his acceptance
o. the Office that there should be M
compulsion until the Irish Parliament
mad been established and that then tn
question should be left to that PAriia
ments unfettered decision. This policl
was said to be favored also BY LORI
French"
The sunday Times. asserting that tn
Government is committed to home rule
says
Complex though the difficulties o
Hsh government are. they can be solvet
on the one hand We kasp our wore
enl on the ether svc Irishmsn . fai
n CojIttnNai On Thlrd 2RD1. f ~ q