New-York tribune., 1920-01-16
Sim Fein Aims
To Make Irish
Elections Quiet
Party Eager to Have the Best
Appearance at the Critical
Moment, Believing Amer
lea Is Watching the Result
sRebellion'' Called Myth
British Officials Declared
To Be Out of Sympathy
Even With Lawful Moves
BY Frank Getty
Ns.r Y,rk Trhsme
C~n>:~1 H~hY> C>~.sf>>


Special Gable Service
Copyright, 1920, New York Tribune Inc.)
KILKENNY, Jan. 16.-Whoever trav-
els through south and west Ireland
under the impression that he is going
to see evidence Of "a state of open re-
bellion,' in which the country is de-
clared to be, is doomed to disappoint-
ment
What rebellion there is exists in the
minds of the inhabitants and is not ap-
parent in the everyday life Of the COM
munity. Furthermore Ireland IS quiet
ing down, and even the unsettling flinu-
ences of to-day's election. in which
the entire country is interested, have
not served to bring to light any DEM
onstrations against the British gov
ernment.
Sim Fein Sees Victory
From the Sim Fein point Of view,
this result is highly desirable. Sim
Fein leaders expect-and others are
ready to concur in their belief-that
they have an excellent chance to sweep
the country in the elections. Respon-
sibility for local government then will
rest largely in Sim Fein hands.
Consequently the Sim Fein element
is anxious to put forward its best ap-
pearance Of organized lawful govern
ment. There is reason Cor this. 1t is
confidently believed here that America
is closely watching the results Of the
elections.
Moreover, after moving among the
Sim Feiners themselves as the Trib-
une correspondent has been privileged
to do, he has found them far different
from the popular conception. AS g
matter of fact, he believes the complex
ion of the Sim Fein element has
changed considerably within the last
six months.
Numbering within it's ranks the best
young manhood Of south and west
ireland, the Sim Fein organization
stands more for sober protest against
the rule-misrule, it terms it-of the
British government than lawlessness
which has been rampant in this section
for several months.
Ireland is country Of heavy drink
ers, but it is asserted by authorities
and it is even admitted by Dublin
Castle officials-that majority of the
Sim Fein organization, particularly
the leaders, is bound to strict observ-
ance Of temperance vows. 1t is young
mems organization, composed largely
Of boys and young men who would have
emigrated to America in the last five
years had not the World War prevented
them.
Crime Not Condoned
1t already has been explained that
the murderous attack on Alexander
NJ. Sullivan, K. c., sergeant at law, the
only outrage of the kind. in recent
days-and it must be remembered thai
every murder in Ireland is magnified
and most of them made to appear as
"Sinn Fein crmesc--was not conducted
by Sim Feiners and will not be con
doned by them. Since that attack
there has been only one other outbreak
the smashing Of six motor cars al
Kilkenny Monday night.
This outrage was an outgrowth OF
the motor strike, which still is being
waged. The governments order thai
all drivers of motor cars must carry
beside the usual permit, an adidtiona
one giving full particulars Of them
selves and bearing photograph has
aroused the bitterest resentment here
This has taken the form of strike BY
the petrol supply trade, which refuses
to furnish petrol for cars.
The most violent form the opposi
tion to the government has taken has
been movement to destroy motor car.
of government sympathizers. Thi:
occurred Monday night when persons
driving to ball given by government
official were ordered from their auto
mobiles, which were stopped by stone.
across the road. Their automobile:
were then destroyed.
Beyond these incidents, there he
beer no sign Of violence in any part o
Ireland.
The correspondent has found Britis
officials distinctly out of sympath
with any organized lawful move on tn