Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-05-25

tHt DTItlsH OiLCldI sLdttIutHl VI
the close connection between
the Irish Sim Fein and German
influence is in the hands of the
British and American govern
ments it was stated officially
here today. Arrests are to be
made soon In this country and
possibly additional arrests in
Ireland.
London, May 25.-Germany's un-
firing efforts to foment revolution
in Ireland with the aid of the Sim
Fem are laid bare in a statement
from the official press bureau, re-
viewing this phase of the Irish po-
litical situation since the begin
ming of the war.
After the abortive rebellion of
Easter week, 1916, plans were made
for a revolt in 1917, but this mis-
carried because of Americas en-
try into the war and Germanys in
ability to send troops to Ireland
An uprising in Ireland was plan
ned for this year after the German
offensive in the west had been sue
cessful and when Great Britain pre-
sumably would be stripped of
troops.
Concerning the recent arrests in
Ireland the statement says that
facts and documents, for obvious
reasons, cannot be disclosed at this
es. h. -g
munication between Germany and
Ireland.
One phase of every plan called
for the establishment OF submarine
bases in Ireland. In the present
circumstances it is added, no other
, course was open to the government
'if useless bloodshed was TO be
avoided and it's duties TO its allies
fulfilled, but to intern the authors
and abettors of this criminal in
trigue."
The statement from the press
bureau says in part:
THE revolutionary movement in
Ireland which eliminated in the ar q
rest of a considerable number of
persons last week consisted of two
closely related series of activities:
A-Attempts by the German gov
ernment to foment rebellion in Ire
land and, B, preparations made in
ireland to carry these attempts
into action. The story of the active
connection between the leaders of
the Sim Fein movement and the
Germans, as disclosed by documents
in possession of the British gov
ernment falls into two parts-the
period prior to and the period since
the abortive Irish rebellion of
Easter, 1916.
The events of the first period
can be told in some details but the
second period, which concerns re-
cent events, permits of no more
than a summary as full statement
on facts and documents in possess
sion of the government would dis
close the names of persons who
stood by the government and also
the channels of communication
through which the German govern
ment was acting.
The story begins as early in the
war as Nov. 6, 1914, when Herr
transmitted through
Count Won Bernstorff message
from Sir Roger Easement Qater
captured ii Ireland and executed) /
asking that a messenger. a ma
tive born American If possible. be
sent to Ireland with word that eY-
srything was favorable.
He was to carry no letter for
fear of arrest. Easement also ask /
ed that an Irish priest should be /
sent to Germany with the assist /
ince of the German legation in Nor |
way to work in prison camps TO !
irish prisoners of war. This /
priest was Father John T. Nichol- |
son, an American citizen of Irish /
birth. He reached Germany safely |
and we find him in January. 1919, !
messages to America. /
In the beginning of 1916 the plot /
-ipened ald on Feb 10 of that year /
cunt Won Bernstorff sent to ID COW
sring address in Rotterdam a dis /
latch which included an extract
rom the report of John Dewey.
lead of the Clan-Na-Gael TO the ef-
ect that action In Ireland could (
OF be postponed much longer since
le feared the arrest of the leaders.
Later in the same month Won
}ernstorff following his usual
Practice. surreptitiously attached to
message TO Berlin passed by the
American government. a note fix
ng Easter Sunday for the rising
nd urged the dispatch of NUM-
ions in time. On March 4. Won
ager replied that the arms would
e landed Ia Tralee Bay and asked
hat the necessary arrangement be
aade in Ireland through Deyoy.
The next day Won Bernstorn !
the code to be used be-
ween the Germans and the rebels
While tn arms were In transit and
Explained that submarine might
afely enter Dublin Bay and 20 as
ar as Pigeon House without en-
nets
"On March 26. Won Jager replied
Thile the arms were In transit and
lessage from Won Bernstorf 10
ierlin the Germans were assured
hat there were numerous private
'ireless receiving stations in Ire
and.