New-York tribune., 1920-04-13
W alk-Out Ordered as Pro-
test Against Treatment
of Sinn Feiners Held
i'm Prison at Dublin
20 Hungry 8 Days
To Force Trials
Crowds Surround Jail i'm
Demonstrations for the
Release Of the Prisoners
By Frank Getty

FROM me Tr1bunes European Bureau
Copyright, 1920, by The N. Y Tribune Inc. J
LONDON, April 12.-Workers of Ire
land have been called out on a gen
eral strike tomorrow as a. protest
against the alleged barbarous treat
ment of political prisoners in Mount
JOY Prison, and to demand their re-
lease.
One hundred young Sim Feiners
were arrested and held in prison with
out trial, and are lying in an exhausted
condition in their cells as a result
of an eight-day hunger strike, to sup
port their demands for trial for them
selves and for better treatment for all
political prisoners. Many of them are
on the verge of collapse. None has
died.
All day, as on Sunday, crowds sur
strations in favor Of the release of the
prisoners and sending cheering mes
sages to them. Two officials of the
prison have resigned as result of the
governments refusal to grant a trial
to the men and thus end the hunger
strike, which. at best, can last only y
few days longer.
The chairman of the group of visit
ing justices, who investigated the cir
prisoners, resigned after futile protest
that the mems lives should be saved
The government has shown no signs of
relenting.
Labor Issues Manifesto
Thus, through conflict of wills over
a technical question of right and
wrong, Ireland, is faced will. situa-
tion the seriousness of which should
not be minimized. The outcome is
awaited with something like the ten
sion which grippcd the country last
Easter Monday.
Labor's response to the demand of
the chairman of the Irish Trades Union
Congress probably will decide the is
sue. "You are called upon to act swift
iy and suddenly to save the lives of a
hundred dauntless men," the labor
manifesto issued to-day says. "At this
hour their, lives are hanging by a
thread in the bastile. These men have
been taken forcibly from their homes
and families and imprisoned without
any charge against them, or. if they
are to be charged, tried under excep-
tional laws for alleged offenses of 81
political character, in outrageous de-
fiance of every canon of justice. They
are suspected of loving Ireland and
hating her oppressor. To-day, although
many of the prisoners are at the point
of death, their titled jailers Shrek.
Let them de!'
"Strike Only Weapon Left
"We workers dare not allow this
tragedy to come to pass. Verbal pro-
tests are in vain. Resolutions, votes
and constitutional practices have been
worn to shreds. AS trade unionists
we have only<one weapon left-the gen.
eral strike-a weapon that may be
used only in times of a supreme crisis
Such an occasion has now arisen. W ork-
ers, let your response to this sudden
call in the name of humanity be so
unanimous as to impress the people
Of the land Of your determination to
put an end to tyranny and oppression" )"
telegraph service, bakers, in the dis
tribution of food or in humanitarian
service, and those doing necessary
work among cattle and horses are ex-
cluded from the strike.
Meanwhile, it is feared that one or
more of the prisoners may die. Such
a death for such cause certainly
would influence considerable element
of the population into participating in
and condoning sharp and widespread
repriSals.
dreds Of tin helmcted soldiers and po-
licemen, who have thrown a Gordon of
steel around Mountjoy prison, will be
needed tomorrow to keep the hot
heads from attempting to storm the
walls to release the hunger strikers.
The machine gun is the ono and only
reason why it hasn't been done already.