The state herald., 1920-12-03

Dubiiu, NON. SO-tby NhID 1T ne
volunteer Irish Republican Army"
now numbers over 100000 officers and
men. according to statement OF
Sim Fein brigadier general to the
United Press. Lack Of munitions and
artillery prevent this force from ac-
lively taking the field In uniformed
combat with the British military in
Ireland" explained the Sim Fein
leader, but the volunteers will con-
tinue to carry out the openly adopted
policy Of physical resistance to the
English Army Of Occupation"
How Is this organization maintained
In q country where every city and vii
lage is heavily garrisoned by hos
tile" troops, and the country roads
bristle with armored cars and mill
tary motor lorries? Where do the
Sim Feiners drill? Where do they
get their guns and ammunition. and
how is laison effected between widely
separated units?
II will betray no secrets TO answer
these questions In a general way. for
the facts are no doubt known to the
British Army Intelligence. In fact.
Sir Hamar Greenwood announced in
the House OF Commons recently that
the entire plans and the names OF the
leaders were known to the Irish office.
The Sim Fein army Ia unique In
that its members actually pay TO he
long to II instead Of receiving any
monetary compensation for their ser
vices. A sum Of sixpence weekly IL
paid by each man. officer and soldier
alike. No favoritism is shown In the
selection OF officers. and II is said that
there Is no single incident OF n volun-
teer refusing to carry out the orders
Of his superior.
Decentralized authority for local
raids and minor offensives by com.
pany commanders under the general
orders for concerted action OF the bri-
gade commander is in effect In all dis
tricts, with the exception OF the larg-
er cities. where the higher leaders di.
rect all activities. In the recent con
iiicts In county Kerry Immediately fol.
lowing the death OF Lord Mayor Mac.
Swiney, n general offensive was or
dcrcd. In retaliation. so Sim Fein
leader told the United Press. for n
suddenly intensified activity on the
part OF the police and military. Eigh.
teen soldiers and policemen were XIII.
cd In the resultant fighting. and about
twenty-five wounded.
Although medical examination II
not generally required OF recruits for
the Sim Fein forces. n fairly high ply.
steal standard In maintained. Volun.
tecrs who are Judged to be unit for
active service are utilized In the finely
developed intelligence department. or
consigned to duty on the civil detec.
tive and police force. although full
iicdged members are also used In this
work.
Each company is intrustod with the
task Of securing their own arms and
In most eases funds with which TO
carry out their various missions Sim
Foln has large funds. aud In the
words OF prominent business man OF
Cork. "cnn ret more whore that comes
from namely, popular subscription
to the recent "lrlsh Republican Loan
aud funds raised by various Irish so
oietios, but biz expense IN cntalled
In caring for the families OF men In
lail or who are fleeing from the Brit.
ish authorities.
WHOM company OF Sim Feln vol
untocrs is seen directing u crowd or
fHnctlonlng In any way an observer Ia
struck with their discipline aud famil'
iarlty with drlll manual. Tho exact
drilling places are cloBoly guarded.
but II is stili difficult to understand
how they are able TO receive training
Of this kind nj all In land that IN
raid TO bo flooded with British spies"
7 requested information on this sub.
lcct Of n high Sim FcIn leader. Ac-
cordinRly u promise was made to show
how II was accomplished. but for OBJ
vioua reasons no engagement was set
aud the manner In which would bc
shown was left In the dark.
was stopping at the Hotel lmpcr.
iai. Cork. when the following after.