New-York tribune., 1918-05-20
America Warned Against
John Dillon's Manifesto
London Observer Sees Peril Our Transports in Pro
German Conspiracy in Ireland and Appeals
for Fair Treatment for Governments
Home Rule Programme

LONDON, May 1o.--"The Observer"
commenting on the Irish situation,
says:
"A grave step has been taken in Ire
land for grave reasons. Friday morn
ing Professor de Valera, president Of
the Sim Fein party, and many other
extremists of the same organization
were arrested.
|% "The reason is that these avowed sep
aratists and pro-Germ0ns have once
again been in reasonable touch with
the enemy, despite the leniency with
which they were treated after the last
Dublin outbreak. revolt and sabotage.
The reality and seriousness CT this
pro- German plot have been known for
some time. In view of Admiral Won Ca
pelle's assertion that Germany is as
sured for. years to come of steady
supply of U-boats, which never cease
their efforts to get in touch with the
Sim Feiners and separatists, this re-
peated treason must be put down with
an unflinchng hand and prevented
from recurring.
"Americans, with their inborn abhor-
renee of disloyal anarchism, have hith-
crto dealt more harshly with pro-Ger-
man conspirators than we have dealt
with them on this side of the Atlantic
Nevertheless, an organized Nationalist
attempt is being made to mislead and
prejudice American opinion with regard
to the whole Irish situation. This at
tempt will undoubtedly be continued
unless it is met with stern and cool
discrimination across the Atlantic. 1t
can only help to serve Germany's game
IN the nick of Germany's time.
Dillon's Manifesto
John Dillon. the Irish Nationalist
leader, and his friends have made them
selves responsible for a malevolcnt
! manifesto. 1t asserts that the British
government is not sincere in it's inten-
tlons with regard to the Home Rule
bill and that the British policy is fail
ing in its promise to Ireland.
These assertions are without truth.
They are either devoid of knowledge
or scruple, or spring from that almost
irradicable habit of passionate mis-
representation which in every crisis
plays it's perverse, bitter part in de-
of Ireland to do her good. The Ma
tlonalists could have made Ireland one.
happy and self-governed, long ago had
they the nerve, courage and sense
enough to embrace their full duty on
the side of the Allies and repudiato
the Sim Fen.
I'VE hope that President Wilson and
the people of the United States will
not be misled by John Dillon's mani
festo. We hope they will set them
selves fully to understand what the
British policy in Ireland really is 1t
is plain thing and an honest thing
and is the only thing compatible, on the
one side, with the war interests of the
Allies, while, on the other side, tend
ing steadily to reconcile two breeds
and creeds. Without that, Ireland, in
wasting and barren agitation. will
plunge from one unsettlement to an
other, and there will be no health. in
her.
Lloyd Georges Three Purposes
"The policy of the Lloyd George
government is threefold 1t is. first, to
restore the normal order of the civil
lied society; second, to apply grad
ually equal military service, as in Eng
land. 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 Ireland as Lord Lieutenant and
Chief Secretary. Their primary pur-
pose is to govern. 1t is to grapple with
the separatists, the enemies of all ef-
forts at an Irish settlement and those
who are advocates Of chaos.
"That is an awkward crux for John
Dillon. He knows it. and to cover him
self on that issue he. does something
else. He actually tries in advance to
wreck the Home Rule bill before it
can be introduced He tried to weaken
its chances in advance, to prejudice the
whole political atmosphere against it..
He suggests that there is no sincere
effort to bring it forward. That is not
true. He suggests that there is no
honest intention to frame it for the
best interests of an Irish settlement.
That is not true. He suggests that the
delay in bringing it forward is mali
cious, because it is avoidable That is
rot true
What is John Dillon's own position
and what is behind his manifesto to
America? He is, of course, nominally
for the war, but he will not lift an ef-
fective finger to help it, He and his
fellows unconditionallv resist the nrin