New-York tribune., 1920-01-26
Lord French Offers HUGE
Reward as Result of
Murders of Fourteen
Officers Since July
Additional $1,000
For ''InfOrmation''
Pardon and Immunity
Promised to Any Who
Turn States Evidence
Ne7U YORK; Tribune
E3yrOo,oOan p...o,

'1O.>NO-N, Jan. IO.---V lScOunt rench,
Lord Lieutenant Of Ireland to-day in
augurated the first of several strong
measures which the government has
planned for Eradication of the crime
to be engulfed.
Dublin this morning was plastered
with posters bearing proclamation
from Dublin Castle, the seat of the
Lord Lieutenant offers reward OF
$4,000 for information given within
three months such as shall lead to
the conviction OF any persons guilty Of
the murder Of the fourteen police Of
fcers who have been shot down since
last July. A further reward Of $4,000
is offered for secret information cal
culated to lead to the conviction Of
the criminals.
Immunity Also Promised
A free pardon and immunity are
promised to persons concerned IN or
privy to the murders, hut not actually
guilty of committing them, who Will
turn states evidence. The proclama-
ton says the government guarantees
to informers "the special protection ol
the crown in any part of his maJesty's
dominions."
The latter phrase expresses the gov
ernment's appreciation Of the fact that
it will be advisable for whoever cx-
poses the actual murdcrcrs to emigrate
hastily.
Considering the present temper OF
the majority of the people in the dis
tricts where the murders occurred 1t
is doubtful whether the Castle prcca-
nation will meet the success desired
for it, The Irish rebels have an under
ground vendetta uneXcelled IN any
country. Their resources are unlimited
and the dealings with "tattlers" would
be vengeance swift and sure.
The daring man who will publicly
accuse any Of the murdcrers, most Of
Of Ireland, will require every ounce Of
the promised especial protection of
the crown" to save him.
Possible lnformants Numerous
1t is conceded that the offer OF a re-
ward of $4,000 is extraordinary, and
its size may lure several claimants to
run the risk. Certainly the number
OF persons who could earn the reward,
if they would, is almost unlimited.
At least six of the fourteen murders
listed in to-days proclamation We're
not instigated or committed by Sim
Feiners, and it is possible that the per
sons guilty in these cases may be ex-
posed. But Sim Fen is IN no mood to
aid the government iii its prosecution
Of this type OF criminal, since, bizarre
as it sounds, the shooting of police
men undoubtedly is regarded as legiti-
f., Il
enemy by no small percentage of the
lawless population. Sim F6in's answer
to the proclamation IS expected to en-
body this point Of view
Lord Frenchs move is OF the nature
of an attempt to divide rebeIlious
house against itself, as the police and
military are obviously powerless to
suppress crime, which has become more
and more frequent i'll the last year.
Other government measures are to (be
expected shortly, as the recent occur
renee at Thures, in Tpperary, where
the military themselves got out Of
hand and shot up the town, was an ap-
preciabic warning to Dublin Castle Off
clals that matters no longer can be
allowed to follow their own course.
Aims to Avoid Coercion
1t is the one desire of the govern
mcnt to avoid excessive coercion, since
the state Of affairs in Ireland 10 day
will not permit this without bringing
the country TO the brink Of that open
rebellion" in which Ireland is mac
curately said to be at the present time,
but into which events might easily
drive her.
When The Tribune spondeAt
visited Viscount French recently at
the Niceregal Lodge. he received the
definite impression that the lord lieu
tenant considers that the only state Of
war existing in Ireland to-day
Sim Feiners insist that the country is
in state of war-ls between the
forces Of order and the outlaws.
THURIES, Ireland, Jan. 25-Arch-
bishop Harty, in the Thurlcs Cathedral
to-day, denounced the recent crimes in
Ireland, saying:
During the last week shocking events
have occurred in Thures and neighbour
hood. Armed raids on police barracks
the willful murder Of a constable and
an attack by the police on undefended
and inotiensive homes call for universal
condemnation and rcprobation.
ut is most horrible and shocking
that anybody should commit murder
in cold blood. 1t is also shocking that
a number of police. whose special duty
it is to protect life and property, should
engage in am orgy of violence and en-
danger the lives Of many innocent pco-
pie, women and children, as we'll as men
"With all the authority can com
mand | condemn these crimes as most
grave violation of the laws Of Cod.'
LIMERICK, Jan. 25.-Tnc police bar,
racks at Murroc. occupied by eigl'
constabcs, was attacked after mid
night by about forty armed men. The
two parties exchanged shots for
couple Of hours. The raiders valnlA
tried to bomb the building, but finally
dccampcd on the approach Of the mi'l-
tary. SO far as known nobody was IN
jurcd
XoIIluiccrs Run RailMaXS