The sun., 1918-06-26
SH0RTT BARES
ENEMY PLOT TO
ALLEVIATE IRISH
Secretary Tells Commons of
Messages Received and
Sent-EnvOy in Irons.
U-BOATS CARRIED GUNS
Hints at Executions "if Neces-
sary to Protect Safety
Of Realm
U-BOATS CARRIED GUNS

LONDON. June 25.-Edward Short.
Chief Secretary for ireland. speaking in
the House OF Commons to-day on the
Irish question, said he hoped to satisfy
the House that the German plot In Ire
land was a real and imminent danger to
this country.
He said he was satisfied that both the
clergy and the Nationalis,s had used
their influence to assist in keeping the
peace
Secretary Sho.tt said the Government
had found that Germany was in touch
with Ireland. and that not only were
messages going to Ireland from a Ger
man source but that they were going
from Ireland from Irish sources to Ger
many.
The coliapsible boat in which a man.
now a prisoner. landed in Ireland from
a Submarine. Mr.. Shortt said. was made
OF canvas similar to that made at Han
over before the war
Mr. Shortt said the Government knew
that in a certain port of Germany
large amount Of ammunition was loaded
into a German submarine. and that sub
marines had been seen in localities
where the destruction OF shipping could
rot have been their object.
Two Causes for Change.
Mr.. Shortt said that since the Pre-
mier had announced the Governments
policy with regard to Ireland circum-
stances had entirely changed. there being
two main causes. The nrst and most
far reaching cause. he said. was the de-
| coyery Of a German plot in Ireland.
In addition there vas the fact that the
feeling In Ireland against conscription
and the movement which necessarily
followed that feeling had been used by
:he extremists in physical movement
"a conjunction with the German pot.
The speaker said he DID not for
moment say that any substantial pro-
portion OF those in Ireland who were
opposed to conscription had any knowl-
ooge that they were being used to FUR
,her a German plot
Mr. Short said that Sim Feiners
had been captured in the ant,-conscrip-
ton movement. 1t had been declared
that the German plot was bogus plot
Intended to injure Ireland bu, he re-
gre,ted to say that there was TO need
When he and Niscount French went to
Ireland Mr.. Shortt continued. 'hey
found the temperance OF seditious
propaganda in the form OF poems. PAM
phlets and notices posted on walls in
citing the people to aid any German
force that might land in the country
German Gold in Evidence.
ANY straw and fodder taken by the
German army" Mr.. Shortt said one OF
these posters read. will be paid for by
Germany
Mr.. Short, quoted excerpts from many
speeches that had been delivered urging
illegal drilling for the purpose OF assist
ing Germany. and said the sources or
information upon which the Government
relied to show German intrigue existed
! both IN Ireland and outside had always
proved true when tested by subsequent
events.
He said he had traced the activity OF
German agents in Ireland from 1911 and
asserted that at the beginning OF the
war pamphlet entitled ireland, Ger
many and the Freedom Of the Seas" had
Deeil IN tNtuIdtio'i III iIV'aH"' ~ c"i o
! evidence Of being German printed. and
for the last three months had begun to
reappear in iceland.
1t was here. the speaker said, the Gov
ernment had found Germany was in
touch with Ireland. and made reference
! to the Collapsible boat in which the pris.
| oner in the Tower had landed.
Prof. DE Valera Involved.
II was very peculiar coincidence. Mr..
| Shortt continued. that upon Prof. Edward
, DE Valera member OF Parliament foi
Fast Glare and prominent Sim Fener.
was found the text OF a letter written to
him by another interned man which
made allusion to something which was
going to happen two months a'ter the
! German offensive began. and that De
Valera was reminded that the two
months would not be up until .he end of
, May.
Eonald Mcneil. Tnionist. interrupting
| the speake' asked Has the writer
been shot
mo" replied NJ, Shortt. "and unless
We are forced by those who call them,
selves interned persons. We have no de-
| sire for any more executions. II we
can protec. the country and insure the
| safety OF the realm without any more
| executions We want to do so, II Il is
| otherwise the responsibility will be upon
those who force It. ard not upon us
! The result OF this anti-conscrip;ion
movement, Mr. Shortt said. was a recru-
! Continued on THIRD Page.