New-York tribune., 1918-05-08
Anti-Draft Fund
Of Catholics Turned
Over to Sim Fein
Priests in Ireland Also Fur
nish Names as Basis for
Registration

remarkably quiet, says the Dublin cor
respondent Of "The Daily Mail" in re-
porting on conditions there incident
to the anti-conscription campaign.
Although the Church is raising" he
adds. ian enormous national defence
fund which is ostensibly being col
lected to fight conscription, it appar-
emily does not prefer to accept respon-
sibility for the manner in which the
money is spent, and control Of the
fund has passed into the hands of the
Sim Fein. The list Of names of men
who signed the anti-conscription
pledge under the direction of the
priests is said to be in the hands of
Sim Feiners as a basis for a regis
tration system.
Conditions Grow Worse
"Conditions appear daily to be grow
ing worse as nationalism is being
spread further along on the Sim Fein
flood. Moderate men OF the Irish con-
vention have faded out OF public rec
ognition. and it is quite obvious that
whatever are the governments Home
Rule proposals they will be rejected
contemptuously by the bulk of the
ately than was conscription.
"The shortage of silver continues
very acute, and the difficulty in making
change has almost paralyzed business
in some towns. Postage stamps are
being used in the midlands and in the
west instead of coin. The Bank of
Ireland has received in the past three
months a supply of silver five times
greater as compared with the same
period in previous years, but as long as
the boarding continues all efforts to
meet the shortage probably will be
futile"
Sir Edward Carson, the Ulster
Unionist leader, in another forcible
letter to the press, warns the govern
ment OF the danger of its Home Rule
policy. He expresses doubt as to
whether the government really intends
to apply conscription to Ireland and
urges the unionist party to compel re-
consideration of the governments
policy.
Warning by Carson
~ cannot but think it will be real
calamity if, in the midst of the war
and at its most critical PERIOD" says
OiA CuWs.i leIIer, Cne UnlOnlSt
party, which is the main support of
the government, should be rent asunder
by revival of the Home Rule con-
troversy. The action of the Nation
alists, Sim Fein and the Roman Cath
ollc hierarchy has demonstrated how
useless imperial reservations and paper
safeguards must be in any Irish settle
ment.
The advocates of a Federal plan
have here most convincing proof it is
not one which will satisfy Nationalist
aspirations. If the defence of the
realm act is not accepted in spirit as
we'll as in letter as part of the
functions of the imperial Parliament,
1t is impossible to suppose that any
reservations will be Of any avail.
Questions Sincerity
But do the government really in
tend to enforce conscription? / al
ready have expressed grave doubts in
this matter, and since that time it has
been made clear by Minister Barnes
that no such intention exists, at all
events, until Home Rule has become
law.
"The appointment as Chief Secre
tary for Ireland of Edward Shortt, who
opposed conscription for Ireland. is
an indication in the same direction
20 tho government really contemplate
that, after setting up an Irish gov
ernmcnt opposed to conscription, their
first action will be to fall foul of gov
ernment of their own creation? 1t is
evident the situation is so changed
that vast body of the southern Irish
Unionists no longer support the action
Of Viscount Middleton and the south
ern Unionist delegates at the conven-
tion. May add also that the govern
ment have the clearest evidence in
their possession that the Sim Fein
organization is and has been in ALI
ance with Germany?
have the government calculated
what part that organization will play
in the new Irish government Where
then does the benefit to the prosecu.
ton OF the war come in? That is, and
must be, the paramount consideration.
listers 'Calmness"
Then referring to the manner OF
loyal Ulster, waiting in calm conf.
dence for specific pledges to her to be
redeemed" Sir Edward said:
This calm, it must be recollected
is an indication not of weakness but
o. OF strength. ! appeal. therefore, to the
Unionist members Of the government
and to the Unionist party to compe
q reconsideration of this matter be.
fore we have fratricidal conflict at 9
time when our whole energy should be
devoted to the prosecution of the war
The unionist members of Parliament
are signing requisition asking Mr.
Bonar Law to summon party meet.
ing for Thursday in order that a full
statement may be made concerning the
Home Rule bill.
Deny Pope Is Interfering
Denial that the Irish episcopate is
influenced by the Vatican in opposing
conscription was made in a speech at
Thurles Monday by the Most Rev. John
Harty, Archbishop Of Cashel, saws a
Dublin telegram. All talk about any
action by the Pope, he said, arose in
the imagination Of some English bigots,
who had attempted by q cry Of "No,
ropery" to intimidate the Irish
bishops.
The English Catholic Union. he
sdded, talked Of appealing to the Holv
See, but it did not represent ali the
Catholics in England. Archbishop
Harty continues:
III they appeal to the HOLY See. e. "a
not the Irish bishops who will suffer"
The Irish bishops had interfered in
the conscription issue, he declared. be-.
AN