New-York tribune., 1918-05-26

response to Easements request that an
excellent impression had been pro-
duced in Ireland. In the beginning of
1916 the plot rpened, and on Febru-
storff sent to covering address in
Rotterdam a dispatch signed with the
name of Skal, one Of his principal
American agents.
This dispatch included an extract
from the report of John Dewey, head
of the Clsn-na-Gael, to the effect that
action in Ireland could not be post
poned much longer. since he feared the
arrest Of the leaders. It had been de-
cided, he said. to begin action on
Eastern Saturday, and he urged that
arms and munitions be in Limerick by
that date.
Bernstorff Fixed Date
Later in the same month Won Bern
storff, following his usual practice. sur
fepttiously attached to a message to
Berlin passed by the American govern
ment note fixing Easter Saturday Tor
munitions in ny time. On March 4, Won
Jagow German Foreign Minister). re-
piled that the arms would be landed
in Traee Bay and asked that the nee
essary arrangements be made in Ire
land through Dewey. On March Ia
Won Bernstorff replied that the Irish
agreed and that full details were be-
ing sent to Ireland by messenger.
"The next day Won Bernstorff tele-
eraphed the code to be used between
the Germans and the rebels while the
arms were in transit and explained
that submarine might safely enter
lith1 11 ~ a
House without encountering nets.
"On March 26 Won Jagow replied that
the arms would be sent and that d
special code word would be used every
right as the introduction to the Ger
man wireless press service. In mes
sage from Won Bernstorff to Berlin
The Germans were assured that there
were numerous private wireless re-
ceiving stations in Ireland.
Urged Raid on England
"On April 1S and April 19 urgent
messages were sent from America to
Berlin fixing the delivery Of arms for
the evening of Easter Sunday, press
ing for the landing of German troops
and asking for an air raid on England
and naval attack on the, English
coast. These attacks actually took
place between April "a and &c.
at was declared to be the hope of
the rebels and their German and
ports against England and establish
bases in Ireland for German SUBJ
marines.
"The rebellion broke out day later
than scheduled, on Easter Monday,
April "a, but, as the world is aware,
German support miscarried and it
ended in complete failure. The report
of the Royal Commission on the re-
hellion in Ireland states:
1T is now a matter of common
notoriety that the Irish Volunteers had
been in communication with the au-
thorities in Germany and were for
with money through Irish-American
societies.
German Aid Admitted
John MacNeil (former president of the
Sim Fein), on November 8, 1914. 1t
was suspected long before the out
break that some of the money came
from German sources
Ihe evidence on this subject in
possession of the British government
provides the clearest proof Of these
suspicious.
ut became clear very soon after the
rising that the Sim Fem leaders again
were asking Germany for help. On
June II there was message from Ber-
lin to Washington referring to "A 259
CT May = message which is missing,
and saying that Germany was perfect
~ ready to give further help if the
Irish only would say what sort of help
they required
"On June 16 Won Bernstorff already
had sent dispatch, giving an account
of the rebellion, as far as his informa-
tion went, and stating that $1,000
had been provided for the defence of
Easement. On July 25 he sent long
message, giving further news from Ire
land and explaining that the work of
reorganizing the rebels was making
good progress and that their lack of
money had been remedied by him.
con September 8, in dispatch to
Berlin, he inclosed memorandum
from person called the I~sh revolu-
tion director resident in America,
which contained detailed proposals for
fresh rising. Any rising, said the
Irish revolution director, must be con-
tingent upon the sending by Germany
Of an expedition with sufficient mill
tary force to cover a landing.'
"On this occasion the German gov
ernment was to fix the time and, as
an inducement, the advantage of hav-
ing submarine and Zeppelin bases in
West Ireland was insisted upon. Won
Bernstorff evidently was having diff
Guilty with his tools, for on October "a
he warned his government not to allow
a certain Captain Boohm, then a resi-
dent of Rotterdam, to write to Irish
men in America, since his letters were
apt to go to the wrong people, Later
Captain Boohm was arrested by us in
British waters.
Irish Here Wanted Action
I'VE again find Won Bernstorff or
December attaching a note surrepti
tiously to a message passed by the
American govern Ment, in which he
mentioned that the Irish leaders ir
America were pressing for an answer
to their proposal of September 8.
He seems to have followed this or
Christmas Day witt. message whici
IS missing, for on the last day of 1917
Foreign Secretary Zimmerman in
formed him of quantities of munition.
which it was proposed to land betwee,
February 81 and 25, 1917. He adde(
that it was impossible to send Germa,
troops.
"On January 1s, 1917, Bernstorff re
piled that his Irish committee decline,
the proposal, as without German troop
rising would be useless.
After Americas entrance into th
war, in April, 1917, the line of commu
nication between the German govern
ment and the leaders of the Sim Fa;,
EyH q knNt