New-York tribune., 1920-04-04
Armed Gordon Surrounds
Dublin, Machine Guns
Shut Off Londonderry
and Troops Patrol Cork
Drastic Measures
Amuse Sim Fein
Easter Monday Revolt
Alarm Called s@Wild
Goose Tip" From Castle
By Frank Getty



LONDON, April 9.-Rings Of steel
were drawn around the principal cities
of Ireland to-day. Dublin has been cut
or from the outside world by military
Gordon. Tanks, machine guns and
barbed wire block the entrance to Lon
donderry. except TO persons with
proper authorization to pass the mill
tary line, and soldiers with fixed bayo-
nets patrol the streets Of Cork.
The government has taken these
drastic measures with a view to the
possibility Of an uprising Easter Mon
day, similar to that which occurred In
1910. Acting on orders from London
the military is displaying none Of the
retlcence which was expected Of It In
! making its preparations for possible
trouble in Ireland on the fourth ami
versary Of "Back Monday"
Even at the risk Of aggravating an
already dangerous situation troops are
being mustered openly and assigned &c
posts. All are heavily armed in prep
aration for possible rising.
Barriers Placed Around Dublin
All the ro&ds leading to Dublin are
entering or leaving the city is searched
and questioned. Early to-day barbcd
wire was thrown across the roads enter
ing the city from the south, and all
trains, tramcars, vehicles of all de-
scriptions and pedestrians we're held up
temporarily. Later in the day the bar
riers were removed. but they are ready
for immediate replacement should the
occasion arise.
Throughout last night soldiers
blocked the roads 80 Londonderry, the
trouble center of Ulster, and search
lights swept the countryside. Every
stopped and examined. The military
paid particular attention to haycarts
in which, it was thought, arms nigh,
De smugg led in or out of the city.
The Sim Fainers. laugh at these
preparations They rteiterate their de-
nial Of any Intention to force the issue
with England at such times as the pres
ent, when they would only be playing
into the hands OF a government SO well
! prepared for trouble.
What Information may have led the
government to take the precautionary
measures bein. effected day is not
known here. although many express the
opinion that action is being taken on
one o. the many wild goose tips" with
which Dublin Castle has been so well
supplied in the last few weeks. The
Sim Feiners insist il is no part of
their Plan 10 start a rebellion Easte,
Monday.
Unfortunate Possibilities
There are, however, two unfortunate
possibilities, and it may be that the
government, forewarned of one Of these
is taking active steps to cope with the
situation. One is that demonstrations
against the enforcement of martha! law
might be followed by conflicts with the
military The other is that irrespon-
slble bands, either with or without con
! nivance with one another. might uelib-
| eratey start trouble
1t is impracticable these days 10 fore
cast Developments in Irish affairs, but
two things may De kept clear. If
trouble starts Easter Monday it will
not be the fault OF Sim Fein leaders
such as Gritfitns, Chi!dcrs or Mcneil
and there is another factor in Irelanc
which is far more desirous of seeing
rebellion come at the present time
than Sim Fein. An Irishman is saga
cious enough not to risk the cause 70,
WHICH he is willing to fight by an abor
! tive attempt in the very teeth Of sucf
military preparations as will be effect
i've at Eastcrtide. Next week would dc
! just as we'll
n.