The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-05-18
(By Associated P.sss.)

(By Associated P:ess.)
LONDON, May, 18. - Ireland and
Irish affairs again have come to the
fore. Discovery of a German plot In
volving certain persons in Ireland was
announced last night in Dublin by
the issuance of proclamation signed
by Edward Shortt. chief secretary for
Ireland, in the name Of the lord lieu
tenant, Viscount French.
The proclamation asserts that Brit
ish subjects resident in Ireland have
entered into reasonable communica-
tion with the German enemy and calls
for drastic measures to put down the
German plot. Voluntary recruiting is
urged in order that compulsion may be
avoided and that the Irish may assist
in putting down the conspiracy.
Seven Are Held.
Communication with Dublin is slow
but a dispatch to the Times says that
a large number Of persons already
have been arrested in Dublin and
other parts of Ireland.
President Edward DeValera. presi-
dent of the Sim Fein; Arthur Griffith.
founder of the Sim Fein; Countess
Markievicz, DR.. Dillon and William
Cosgrave, Sim Fein NJ P. for Kill
kenny, have been arrested. according
to an Exchange Telegraph dispatch
from Dublin. Additional arrests in Ire
land reported in Times dispatch
from Dublin, include DR.. Hayes and
Darrell Figgis.
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 man who landed on
the Irish coast from a German sub
marine in collapsible boat.
Policy May be Changed.
The reference to voluntary enlist
ment in the proclamation appears to
confirm predictions that the govern
ment has changed its policy concern
ing conscripion in Ireland, owing to
nationalist and Sim Fein opposition.
A report became current in Ireland
Friday that the government conteg1-
plated launching recruiting schem
on the lines of that formerly conduct
ed by the Earl of Derby in England.
1t gained much prominence in Irish
newspapers and was discussed widely.
However, Dublin dispatch to the
Daily News says the report met only
with ridicule. The dispatch adds:
THE atmosphere is completely I'M
suitable and it is doubtful if a single
public man with real power in the
country would back the scheme
Another report is to the effect that
a number of prominent Irishmen have
submitted to Premier Lloyd George a
request to appoint Gen. Sir Bryan
MahOn, who has just relinquished the
artillery command in Ireland. director
of recruiting in Ireland. General Ma
hon is popular with large classes of
Irshmen with whom ne is regarded as
having very active sympathies, but
whether the appointment would have
practical results can only be speculat-
ed upin.
Sensation is Created.
Although there have been many ru-
mors concerning events in Ireland re-
Gently, the Eews received from Dublin
early this morning of the arrests made
in Ireland and of Lord French's proc
lamation that certain of the kn's sub
jects. have entered into reasonable
communication with the German en-
emy" created a sensation
Some days ago Sir Edward Carson.
the Irish Inionist leader. said in a
letter to the government that he knew
certain persons in Ireland had been
in communication with the enemy, but
it was generally taken to mean some
unimportant individuals connected
with the man who was captured after
landing recently on the Irish coast in
a collapsible boat
The nature of the arrests taken in
with the posting of Lord
French's proclamation. however, in
dicates that the persons referred to
are the heads Of the Sim Fein move
ment and that the government pos
sesses evidence against them.