New-York tribune., 1918-05-26
Prof. de Valera
Denies Existence
Of German Plot

DUBLIN, May 25.-"The Westmeath
Independent" says Professor de Valera
has sent letter'to prominent bishop
absolutely denying the existence of any
German plot.
The governments revelations regard
ing the German plot in Ireland were
discussed here most eagerly, but promi-
nent politicians were reluctant to ex-
press an opinion without further con-
sideraton. Both the Unionists and the
moderate Nationalists agreed that the
charges were extremely grave and re-
vealed a danger from which large
majority Of Irishmen would undoubt-
edly shrink. The Sim Feiners main
tanned their attitude of skepticism and
continued to deny the existence of any
plot. They dwelt on the absence OF
names from the governments charges.
"These charges are terrible" said a
prominent Nationalist to The Asso-
ciated Press. "They will startle the
country, which had supposed that the
Sim Fein talk was mere rhetoric.
"However, the governments state
ment so far is an indictment rather
than proof. Proof of these charges
would destroy the hold of the Sim Fein
on the country and reduce the Sim
Fein element to a small knot of pure
revolutionaries, who have always ex-
listed in Ireland, in association with
Irish revolutionaries. in America.
~ confess myself surprised at the
terms of the speech attributed to Pro-
fessor de Valera. Nothing of this
character is to be found in any of his
utterances published in the Irish press,
and had it been known that he would
welcome a German landing in Ireland
it is not conceivable that this associa-
ton would have been tolerated by many
persons who, either as friends or as
opponents, have recognized his position
as an Irish leader.
81 do not attach much Importance at
this stage to the absence of names.
The statement is quite definite that
men interned are the authors and abet-
tors of this criminal intrigue. The
plain English of this is that they are
guilty of high treason, and l do not
believe that the government will be
contented with charging these men with
high treason without subjecting them
to trial, and, if guilty, to heavier pun
ishment than that of mere internment." ;"
Neither John Dillon, Irish Nationalist
leader, nor his associate, Joseph Devlin,
could be seen tonight, but their dec
voiced in Mr.. Dillon's interview with
The Associated Press, will be empha-
sized in the Dublin newspapers to-mor-
row in letter which Mr.. Dillon wrote
this morning to "The Nationalist" OF
Limerick. His letter says, in part:
Large masses of the youth of Ire.
land have passed under the influence Of
leaders who appear to have no we'll.
thought-out policy and no sense of re
sponsibility. In the face of such con
ditions young Irishmen who can keel
their heads and are determined to re
sist both stupid coercion and the policy
of the Sim Fein are capable of doinl
incalculable service to Ireland at thi
moment of terrible need.
"Your society at Limerick has passet
a resolution rcgretting the introduction
of party strife into Ireland during tn
present crisis. I did everything in m.
power, even to the extent of incurrin,
blame and censure from some of m
best supporters, to avert strife and sc
cure true unity on the basis Of part.
truce till the conscription menace ha
been defeated"
"The Freeman's Journal" Mr.. Dill
Ions organ, after careful examination
of the governments statement, says
"No one could truthfully describe it a
evidence, and no impartial mind will
accept it as justification for The ex
treme action which the government ha
taken"