Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-20
| Have Been in Treason
! ableaPouch With the
| Enemy
LONDON PAPER
COMMENTS ON
THE SITUATION
''The Reality and Seriousness
of This Pro-German Plot Has
Been known for Some Time
This Repeated Treason
Must Be Put Down with an
Unfiinching Hand

AitiS ASFtdtSu lICdSOll
Must Be Put Down with an
Unflinching Hand"
London. May 19.-The Observer
commenting on the Irish situation
says:
| "A brave step has been taken in
Ireland. For grave reasons Friday
morning. Professor De Valera, pres
ident Of the Sim Fein party and
many other extremists of the same
organization were arrested.
I The reason is that these avov cd
! once more been in reasonable touch
with the enemy.
I The reality and seriousness of this
| pro-Gcrman plot has been known for
some time. In view of Admiral Won
Capelle's assertion that Germany is
assured for years to come of a steady
| supply of U-boats which never cease
their efforts to get in touch with the
Slim. Feincrs and separatsts, this
repeated treason must be put down
| with an urf1inchins hand and pre-
! vented from recurring.
| Americans, with their Unborn
aphorrence Of disloyal anarchism
iAtherto Fave dealt more harshly
with pro German conspira tors than
we have dealt with them on this side
OF the Atlantic. Nevertheless. an or
sanlzed nationalist attempt is being
Einade 70 mlslead and prejudice Amer
| team opinion with regard to the
Whole Irish situation. This attempt
VIII undoubtedly he continued unless
! Is met with stern and cool discrim-
tafioRsiicross the Atlantic. 1t can
| only help TO serve Germany's game
, in the nick of Germany's time.
John Dillon. the Irish Nationalist
leader, and his friends have made
themselves responsible for Il male
VIOLENT manifesto. 1t asserts that the
British government is not sincere in
its intentions with regard to the home
rule bill auG that the British policy is
failing in it's promise to Ireland
These assertions are without truth
The nationalists could have made
Ireland one, happy and self governed
long ago Lad they the nerve, cour-
age and sense enough to embrace
their full duty on the side of the Al
lies and rcludiate the Sim Fem.
We hope that President Wilson and
the people of the United States will not
be IN lied by John Dllons manifesto.
We hope they will set themselves fully
TO understand what the British policy
in Ireland really is.
The policy of the Lloyd George gov
eminent is threefold. 1t is, first, to re-
store the normal order of the civilized
societ.-; second. 10 apply gradually
equal military service. as in England,
Scotland and Wales; third. to bring in
the home rule bill.
For these purposes Lord French, A
famous soldier, proud of his Irish blood,
and Edward Short. a Liberal, and both
home rule advocates, have gone to Ire
land as lord lieutenant and chief secre-
tary. T,?eir primary purpose is to gov
ern. II is to grapple with the separat-
lists. the enemies of all efforts at an
Irish settlement and those who are adj
vocates Of chaos.
THAT is an awkward crux for John
Dillon. He knows il. and to cover
himself on that issue he does some
thing else. He actually tries in I'D
. vance 70 wreck tho homo rule bill
before it can be introduced.
What is John Dillon's own posi-
ton and what is behind his NANTES
| to to America? He is, of course, nom
| inally for the war. but he will not
lift an effective finger to help it. He
and his followers Internationally re-
sist the principle of CONSUMPTION,
though that is a matter of federal
policy as unquestionably within me
sole competence Of the Imperial Par
! lament on this side Of the Atlantic
as In that of Congress on the 9th r.
side. Can the President and the peo-
pie of the United States imagine am
situation in which any body Of Amer
leans in a crisis like this would re-
fuse equal suffrage and defy Con-
gress:
On these matters Of fact. witch
are absolutely within our knowledge
| We nave here made three assertions.
we Deg all America to note IT,
When Mr.. Wilson receives the Ma
! tinoailsts representatives will he ask
! lhem what they are doing to hedp:
VIII ne ask them why, if they repu-
| dlate the Sim Fem and disclaim the
devil. they hold so many candles to
the devil? VIII he ask them what
theE are doing to conciliate Protes-
. tantlsm in the North Of Ireland.
whence President Wilson derives his
| origin and TO draw breeds and creeds
'oeether to make nation. which
without that must be Moreover UNI
made?
! John Dillon and his friends are
Only adding SO far to every single
diincuity Of the situation.
" nile the LLOYD George govern
! ile.i.' on the one hand, has to face
stubborn opposition from the Irish
Cnionists to any form Of home rule.
because they believe it would be bad
for their country and are strength
tned IN that belief BY al. the recent
iawlessness and disloyalty oil the
= Continued on Paoa o-coIurn 81