Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-06-26
British Press Bureau BareS De-
tails Of Series of Con-
SpiracieS.
GOT AID FROM AMERICANS
eermanys Purpose Was to Obtain
Submarine Bases on Ireland's Coast
Documents Disclose Connec-
ton Between Sim Fein
and Germany.

anu 1CttHdhys
LOndon.-Germany's untiring efforts
to foment revolution in Ireland WIN
the aid of the Sim Fein are laid bare
in statement from the official press
bureau. reviewing this phase of the
Irish political situation since the ne
ginning of the war.
After the rebellion of Easter week.
1916. plans were made for revolt IN
1917. but this mlscarried because or
Americas entry into the war and Ger
many's Inability to send troops to Ire
land. An uprising In Ireland was
planned for this year after the Ger
man offensive in the west had been
successful and when Great Britain pre-
sumabIy would be stripped of troops.
Concerning the recent arrests In ire
land. the statement says the Facts
and documents for obvious reasons,
cannot be disclosed at this time, nor
can the means of communication be-
tween Germany and Ireland.
One phase of every plan called for
the establishment of submarine bases
In Ireland. In the present circun-
stances. It is added, no other course
was open to the government IF use
less bloodshed was to be avoided and
its duties to its allies fulfilled, but TO
intern the authors and abettors Of this
criminal intrigue"
German Government in Plot
The statement from the press bu-
reau follows:
"The revolutionary movement IN Ire
land which eliminated In the arrest or
a considerable number Of persons last
week consisted of two closely related
series of activities. Attempts by the
German government to foment rebel
lien In ireland and preparations In Ire
land to carry these attempts into ac-
ton
1.-THE story of the active connection
between the leaders of the Sim Fem
movement and the Germans. as dis
closed by documents in possession of
the British government falls into two
purts-the period prior to and the pc
Rod since the abortive Irish rebellion
of Easter, 1916.
THE events Of the first period can
be told in some detail but the second
period, which concerns recent events,
permits Of no more than summary.
as n full statement of the facts and
documents in possession of the govern
ment would disclose the names of per-
sons who stood by the government and
also the channels of communication
through which the German government
was acting and which II would not he
in the public interest to reveal at pres
ent.
, American Carried Messages.
1.-THE story begins as early in the
war as November 6. 1914. when Herr
Zimmermanu transmitted through
Count Won Benstarff a message from
Sir Roger Easement Cater captured in
Ireland and executed) asking that a
messenger. native-born American II
possible, be sent to Ireland with word
that everything was favorable. lie
was to carry no letter. for fear Of ar
rest. easement also asked that an
Irish priest should be sent 10 Germany
with the assistance Of the German le-
CATION in Norway to work In prison
camps to corrupt Irish prisoners Of
war. The priest was 4 certain Father
John T. Nicholson. az American ciu-
zensof Irish birth. Ht reached Ger
many safely and we found him in Jan
nary. 1915. transmitting messages TO
America.
According 70 a report of Capt. Won
Papen German military attache In
Washington. dated December :, 1914,
verbal assurances wore sent in re-
Spouse to Easement, request that an
excellent impression had been pro
duccd in Ireland In the beginning Of
1914 the plot ripcned ana on February
10 If that year Count Won Bernstorfi
sent To covering address in Botter
dam a dispatch signed with the name
Of Skal. one of his principal Amcri
can agents
The dispatch included an extract
from the report of John Dewey, heaC
Of the Gamma Gael, TO the effect thai
action in Ireland could not be post
poned much longer since he feared tn,
arrest Of the leaders. 1t had been de
cided, he said. to begin action on Eas
ter Saturday. and he urged that arms
and munitions be IN Limerick by tha
date
Bernstorff Set Date.
Later IN the same month Won Bern
storff. following his usual practice. sur
reptitiously attached TO message i,
Berlin passed by the American govern
ment. note fixing Easter Saturda,
for the rising and urging the dispatCl
of munitions. on March Won Jagoy
German foreign miniSter) replied tha
the arms would be landed in Trale
bay. and asked that the necessary M
rangements be made IN Irelau
through Dewey. On March II Yo
Bernstorff replied that the Irish agree