New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-05-19
Arrests Called
Governments First
Blotu in ireland
By Arthur S. Draper
Especial Gable to The Tribune)


LONDON, May 18.-The British gov
eminent has struck its first blow in
Ireland. Edward de Valera, Arthur
Griffith, Countess Markievicz and other
Sim Fein leaders have been arrested
on the charge that they were in COM
munication with Germany and were re-
flecting on the good name of Ireland.
In all, about five hundred have been
taken into custody.
Prior to the arrests, Secretary Short
issued proclamation calling on all
loyal subjects to aid in defeating this
alleged conspiracy and urging volun-
tary enlistment. "The Freeman's Jour-
nal" the organ of the Irish National
lists, declared that the proclamation was
merely camouf1age for launching. un-
der cover of the alleged plot, the policy
OF consumption.
10 understand the Irish situation it
IS necessary to recall various incidents.
Soon after the opening of the German
offensive on March 21, Horace Punk
ett's convention, which had been in
session since last July, reported with
out reaching an agreement
Nationalists Fought CONSUMPTION
Then Lloyd George introduced his
man-power bill, which called for con-
scription in Ireland. The Irish Nation
allsts fought the measure at every
step, and when it was finally adopted
they quit Westminster and returned to
Ireland, where they entered into an al
lance with the Sim Feilners, their
erstwihle enemies.
Lloyd George promised to Introduce
the Home Rule measure, and not en-
force conscription until it had been
accepted by Parliament.
Then came the resignation of Henry
E. Duke, Chief Secretary for Ireland,
and OF Lord Wimborne, Lord Lieuten-
ant, and the transfer of Sir Bryan
Mahon, commander in chief of the Irish
forces.
The announcement was made that
after May 20 no one could travel he.
tween England and Ireland without a
special permit. In Ireland a strong al
lance of the Irish Nationalists. the
Sim Feiners and the Catholic Church
was formed, and preparations made to
resist CONSUMPTION, even if it led to
bloodshed.
An anti-conscription fund reaching
nearly 100000 was collected. AS
Parliament has adjourned until MAY %
minimum of at least six weeks must
pass UetWecH the Clme that LlOyd
George promised the Home Rule meas
ure and its introduction in Parliament.
The Ulstermen and Unionists op-
posed Home Rule and most of them OBJ
posed CONSUMPTION.
Arrests OFF Irish Coast
Then there are two minor incidents
which must be considered. A few DAYS
ago a man, supposed to have been
carried by German submarine, was
captured off the Irish coast, where he
was found in small collapsible boat
To-day he was arraigned in Bow Street
charged with being in an open boat
fifteen miles off Kingston pier during
the night Of April Is.
Briefly that is the recent history OF
Ireland. De Valera and Griffith repre-.
sent two distinct factions of the Sim
Feiners, the former eating dema.
gogue who played an active mart in the
Easter uprising, the latter keen, cool
highly intelligent Irishman, who hon
estly believes the ideas which he ad.
vances.
have talked with both of them at
length. And l know them for fearless
advocates of Irish independence. The