Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-11
De Valera DENIES
IRISH PLOT IN 1878
Breaks Silence by Attacking
white Book" Of British
Government
PLAN PROHIBITION IN ERIN
BY the Associated Press

Dublin, Jan. Eumon de Valera
the Irish Republican leader, broke hi,
silence yesterday with formal state
ment vigorously denying the alleged
German Irish plot against Great Brit
ain and attacking the government
white Book" issued Saturday, con.
cerning such a plot.
There was no such thing as this
German plot in 191S,'' says the state.
ment. "I have asserted this in America
time after time. now repeat il here.
From July. 1917. I was intimately in
touch with all the major activities both
OF the Sim Fefn political reorganization
and the Irish volunteers. and 30 I speak
with knowledge and authority.
Lord Wimborne tthen lord lieuten.
ant of Ireland)-not Mr.. Lloyd George
told the truth on this matter. The
general character of this report. its
total untrustworthincss and its obvious
purpose to bring to play on the side
OF the authors of the present military
frightfulness in Ireland all the preju
dices and hatreds of the past year can
be inferred from the portions that have
reference to me personally.
"For example: Firstly. the docu-
ment on army organization attributed
to me and said to- be in my handwriting
Is not. in my handwriting, as they
could easily have seen. Further. il was
neither composed by me nor composed
at my suggestion, nor was 1t on my
person.
Questions for Lloyd George
'I suggest that representative
American or continental pressmen ask
Mr.. Lloyd George to let them see the
original document or n Photographic
copy of IL: it won't need an expert to
decide that the writing is not mine.
When that is done ! will give full his
tory Of the document, supported BY
proofs that will be conclusive.
'"The way the British cabinet has i'm
pressed this document into its service
might be taken as standard to illus
trste how they manufacture such plots.
Secondly. the press has already
commented on the fact that although
names were given without reserve
throughout the report, letter found in
my possession Is referred to as from
known member of the Irish Republican
army. 1t will be interesting to know
the reason for this.
"This letter was handed to me while
presiding at a meeting a few hours be-
fore my arrest. 1t might have come
from Lloyd George himself or from the
original disCoverer of the German plot
--(Sir Edward Carson). | glanced
through the contents, and later. though
the document seemed of no particular
consequence, being, il genuine, nothing
more than the waters own views on the
situation as regards conscription and
steps that were being taken to meet 1t,
as q safeguard to the writer from the
attentions Of the British, should they
get the letter, / oinched off the sigma
ture. This can be seen If the original is
examined.
"Thirdly, as to the document on
Communications II was given TO me
as a basis from which | might start tu
work up a system of communications
which was needed by the Mansion House
conference in connection with their
work, in view of the threatened enforce
ment Of conscription."
''In all probability would alter it
70 much that the system when actually
set up would have but slight relation to
the scheme as outlined in this proposal.
Insofar as this whole report mas refer
ence to incidents subsequent to the 18th
of July, know that it is simply piece
of the same sheer audacity in lying Of
which the present British ministers
have given evidence respecting Ireland /
in their public statements day by day
statements which were designed to de-
ceive their own people no less than the
peoples of foreign nations.
1--WE who know the truth and see
how deliberately these gentlemen dis
tort it do not forget this fact when esti-
mating the probable honesty of So
called offers and proposals emanating |
from them.
"The case of the Cotter brothers is /
another instance of how eagerly, in the |