The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-18
BOCHE INVASION
THRU IRELAND IS
FEAR OF BRITAIN
Binn Fein Leaders Are Arrest
ed Over Trouble.
Drastic Steps Taken Just in
Time, Is Belief.
IRISH LEADERS IN BAD MOOD
PrO-German Plots Are Barred
to World.
Irish Rebellion Planned With
German Aid.
Drastic Steps Taken Just in
Time, Is Belief.
IRISH LEADERS IN BAD MOOD
Plots Are Barred
to World.
Irish Rebellion Planned With
German Aid.

Belfast. Ireland, May 1S.-A num-
her of Sim Feiners were arrested mere
late last night and removed to the
military barracks.
London, May 1S.-Prof. Edward De
Valera, president of the Sim Fein;
Arthur Griffith, founder of the sim
Fein: Countess MarkievicZ, Doctor
Dillon and William Cosgrave, Sim
Fein NJ p Cor Kilkenny. have been
arrested, according to an Exchange
Telegraph dispatch from Dublin.
The Irish Times today says the gov
eminent has no acted moment TOO
soon, Is all the signs pointed to an
other oItbreak of armed violence pos
sibly in connection with the LANDING
Of German troops on Irish shores.
Additional arrests in Ireland re-
ported in Times dispatch from DUP
In, include Doctor Hayes and Darrell
Figgis.
German Hand in 1t.
Irelan1 and Irish affairs again
have come to the fore. Discovery OF
a German plot involving certain per
sons in Ireland was announced last
night in Dublin by the issuance OF a
PROCLAMATION signed by Edward
Short. chief secretary for Ireland in
the name of the lord lieutenant, VS.
count French.
Proclamation Posted.
A proclamation issued py @
Marshal French, lord lieutenant u
ireland, posted thruout the country
daybreak today, declares II Is leaLn ta
entered into reasonable communlcd-
tion with Germany and that Strlcl
measures must be taken to put oo"n
the German plot. 1t asks lrelahu ~, ~
aid in crushing the conspiracy 1he
proclamation concludes:
"Toward this end we shall cause
still further steps to be taken 10 IacI-
itate and encourage voluntary enist-
ment in Ireland. in the nope tnat,
without resort to compulsion, ireland
contribution to the British forces VIII
equal that of the remainder of the en-
pire."
Edward Short, chief secretary for
Ireland, authorized statement IN
which he accepts full responsibility
with French for the measures when
he saws are directed solely against
German intrigue in the Irish govern
ment He says only a small number
of Irish are involved in the plot
Irish Paper Denies.
Regarding Shortt's proclamation,
the Freeman's Journal said:
SHORTS first word to the Irish
people apparently means conscription
will be launched under cover of the
revelations of an alleged German plot.
Possibly a few foolish Irishmen may
have entered a conspiracy to invoke
German aid. but the Irish people are
not pro-German, Notwithstanding all
provocations."
The proclamation asserts that Brit
ish subjects resident in Ireland have
entered into reasonable communica
tion with the enemy, and calls for
drastic measures to put down the
German plot. Voluntary recruiting
-.
be avoided. and that the Irish may
assist in putting down the conspiracy.
Communication with Dublin is slow.
but dispatch to the Times says that
ii large number of persons already
have been arrested in Dublin and
other parts of ireland. The number
Of Irish in cooperation with the
enemy is said to be very small.
There have been various hints
recently of German activity in the
Sim Fein ranks and there has been
no full explanation of recent arrests,
including that of a man who landed
on the Irish coast from a German
submarine in collapsible boat.
The reference to voluntary enlist
ment in the proclamation appears to
confirm predictions that the, govern
ment has changed its policy concern
ing conscription in Ireland owing to
Nationalist and Sim Fein opposition.
A report became current in Ireland
plated launching a -recruiting scheme
on the lines of that formerly con-
Quoted by the Earl of Derby in Eng-
land. 1t gained much prominence in
Irish newspapers and was discussed
widely. However, Dublin dispatch
to the Daily News says the report met
with ridicule. The dispatch adds: .
THE atmosphere is completely un-
stable and it is doubtful if single
public man with real influence could
be found to back the scheme"
Ask for Recruiting Scheme.
Another report to the effect that a
number of prominent Irish men have
submitted to Premier Lloyd George a
request to appoint Gen. Bryan Mahon
command in Ireland director of re-
cruiting in Ireland. General Mahon is
popular with large classes of irish
men with whom he is regarded as
having very active sympathies, but
whether the appointment would have
lated upon. According to one view
the general could only succeed if the
government gave Ireland a-home rule
parliament
Prof. De Valera, VIM. Cosgrave and
Countess Markievicz all were arrested
for the parts they played in the Sinr
Fefn revolt in Dublin in Easter weel
of 1916, when the short-lived Irish re
public came into being. All were sen.
fenced to death, but this was com.
muted later to life imprisonment
After several months in prison al
were released.
Plotted Irish Rebellion.
Prof. De Valera was elected mem
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