The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-05-22
HuN.IRISH PLOT
IN U. s. F0IlED
Sim Fein Agents in This Country
Alleged to Be involved
in Revolt.
GERMsN Cash BACKS PLAN
Planned to Send Arms to Erin by
U-Boats--BoW Was Ready to
Fall When Enemy Won
Channel Porte.

Washington, May 22.-Disclosure
that the United States government has
gathered evidence in this country OF
conspiracies between Irish Sim Fein
leaders and German agents to precipi-
tate rebellion In ireland was fol-
lowed by announcement that govern
ment agents have uncovered similar
German intrigue with other nation
aliStic groups in the United States.
German money, 1t was said, has been
used to finance agitation among ne
grOes and among Firms, Lithuanians
and other of the sO-called oppressed
nationalities" which for years have
had national.stic grievances against
Russia OF Olher anti-Germanic allies.
In most cases this propaganda has
been carried on by Americans affiliated
with these groups, paid from some
mysterious source believed to be the
German government. Chicago, New
York and Boston Irishmen are involved
in the conspiracy, according to per-
sistent report. Some Of them are like
ly to be arrested soon and prosecuted
as traitors for conspiring with the
enemy.
Washington, May 22.-Evidence of
plotting between German and Irish
agents in this country for an uprising
In Ireland has been uncovered by Unit
ed States government agents and Is
partly responsible for the recent arrest
of Irish leaders by the British govern
ment.
This evidence, which may be made
public soon, Is understood to show def
aitely that Irish leaders, mainly Sim
Fein sympathizers in the United
States, have been in touch with Ger
man representatives, who agreed to
furnish money to finance rebellion in
Ireland and possibly to send arms and
ammunition to Ireland by submarines
Of blockade runners. There was even
some discussion of the chances of
sending German soldiers to take part
in warfare on Irish SOIL
Uprising Nlpped In TIme.
The uprising was set for about this
time, when the Germans had planned
to reach the channel ports after their
great drive in France, and 1t was be-
lieved England would be thrown into
confusion by the German victories.
Ireland was to be freed entirely from
British influence If possible, and the
Germans counted strongly on the Irish
trouble to divert Great Britain's atten-
Gph tn
at the channel ports at the very time
when it would be most necessary for
the country to keep calm to prevent a
German invasion.
information concerning these plots
has been gathered by several investi-
government and turned over to the
state department which forwarded it
to representatives, Of the British gov
ernment. In many cases the, informa-
tion provided leads by which British
secret agents found evidence Of plot
ting in Ireland.
Act When Plot Was to Break.
Negotiations were allowed to pro-
ceed for some time in the hope that
more of the plotters would be rounded
up finally, and the arrests are believed
to have been ordered by British Off
cials at this time because it became
evident that an open outbreak was
about to be precipitated. 1t was hint
ed that a number Of Sim Fein sympa-
thizers in the United States are under
watch for further developments In the
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