The Washington herald., 1920-05-13
IRISH SECRET
CODE REVEALED
Document Shows 'Presi-
dent De Valera Rules
Inner Circle.
HOLDS RIGID RULES
Irish Brotherhood Blamed
For Murders Previously
Laid TO Police.
CNashington HeraId-PubIic Ledger
Service. Special Gable Dispateh1
by CARL W. ACKERMAN.

LONDON, may lE-Tne secret con-
stitution of the Irish Republican
Brotherhood, the backbone and di-
recting force of the Sim Fein rev.
olutionary movement in Ireland,
has come into your correspondents
possession. This document es-
tablishes for the first time the
existence of a supreme council or
inner circle of Sim Feiners, headed
By Eamonn de Valera, who Is now
in the United States, which has
complete power to declare war,
levy taxes. demand tribute and hold
secret court-martials. and Is in
fact, as we'll as by right, the sole
government of the Irish republic.
For years, this constitution has
been known only to the most
trusted Sim Fein leaders. A copy
was obtained only a short time ago
In ireland and its authenticity can
not be questioned. Although the
British government, has suspected
the existence of an inner circle Of
revolutionists with supreme power
over the acts and lives of mem
bers of the Irish Republican Broth
erhood. it has not known until re-
Gently how this council was select
ed. who presided over 1t. and how
extensive was its control of the
Sim Fein movement.
Shows Responsible Heads.
Now the authorities possess this
most confidential document OF the
Sim Feiners and know where the
responsibility rests for Irish rebel
lions, for attacks on police barracks.
for assassination of policemen and
or the execution of apparently in
nocent Irishmen and it is expected
that, with this information. the
British government will be in a posi-
ton to deal more effectively with
the anarchy which exists in Ireland
to-day.
From the most important clauses
Of the constitution. which l am
cabling. it will be observed that,
contrary to the statements OF Sim
Fein leaders. the supreme power in
Ireland today is not vested in the
Dali Eireann or the Sim Fein par
| Lament elected in 1918, but in a
secret inner council and that every
one of the 100000 men of the Irish
Republican Volunteers and the men,
bers OF the Brotherhood are sworn
to secrecy and 'to true allegiance
to the supreme council" How much
the Sim Feiners valued this secrecy
of this inner council and the Irish
Republican Brotherhood is indicated
by the severe punishment inflicted
upon everyone who even spoke of
the brotherhood except in secret
meeting.
For some months past many ap-
parently innocent Irishmen have
been murdered and their deaths
have been charged to the police.
What actually has happened in
many cases is that those lrishmen
/ have been suspected of betraying
the secrets of the Brotherhood and
the supreme council to the British
authorities and the inner circle has
court -martialed them and counten-
anced their execution. For instance,
on one occasion a local circle meet
ing took place in a large Irish city.
Irishman Found Slain.
One of the members was under
suspicion by his colleagues, so those
who trusted one another called a
meeting and discussed the storage
of arms in a certain house. Next
day that house was raided. Nothing
was found. but on the following
day an Irishman who everybody
thought was innocent of all polit-
ical intrigue was found murdered.
His murder was charged to the po-
lice. Although the constitution ex-
pressly states that De Valera as
president Of the republic is presi-
dent of the supreme council. his
presence in America has naturally
absolved him from direct implica-
tion in the recent secret sessions
of the supreme council.
The following are the most i'm
portant clauses of the constitutions:
The enc object of the Irish Re-
publican Brotherhood is to estap-
lish and maintain a free and inde-
pendent government in Ireland.
The Irish Republican Brotherhood
shall do its utmost to train and
equip its members as a military
body for the purpose of securing
the independence of Ireland by force
of arms. 1t shall secure the cooper
alton of all Irish military bodies in
the accomplishment of its object
and shall support every moment cal
culated to advance the cause OF
Irish national Independence, con-
sistent with the preservation of its
own integrity.
Obedience sworn.
Each candidate who qualities for
admission to the Irish Republican
Brotherhood shall affirm on oath
that he does not belong to any other
oath bound society and shall, as
requisite for acceptance, take the
following oath:
"Tn the presence of God, do SOL
emnly swear that I will do my ut
most to establish tho national inde-
pendence of Ireland: that will bear
true allegiance to the supreme coun-
ell of the Irish Republican Brother
hood and the government of the
Irish Republic, that will implicitly
obey the constitution Of the Irish
Republican Brotherhood and all my
superior officers and preserve invio-
late secrets of the organization, so
help me Cod
Should any grave misdemeanor
or serious breach of discipline war
rant 1t, trial by court-martial may |
be ordered by majority vote of the |
circle by the center or any other |
superior authority. II found guilty |
said member shall be expelled from |
the organization and the expulsion |
rs--.Tted to the supreme council.
mo member of the Irish Repub-
lican Brotherhood shall receive any
information respecting work of the |
organization except what Is neces-
sary for the performance of his |
duty. Should any member inad-
vertently acquire such information |
he shall not be at liberty to divulge
1t or make use of the same, but