New-York tribune., 1921-09-27
Man Held Here
In Plot to Ship
Arms to Irish
Prisoner Arrested at the
Waldorf as Result of
Seizure of 495 Machine
Gums on Vessel June Is
Admits Munitions Deals
Warrant for Another Is-
sued in Alleged Conspir-
acy to Aid Sinn Fein


tig&ting the seizure of 4a5 sub-machine
guns concealed in the bunkers of the
steamship East Side, at Hoboken, June
IS last. yesterday arrested George Cor
don Rorke at the Waldorf Astoria. He
was arraigned before United States
Commissioner Samuel NJ. Hitchcock last
night on a complaint charging con
spiracy with one known and two un-
identified individuals to set on foot a
military expedition against the King of
England.
A warrant has already been issued
for the arrest of the other known party
to the alleged conspiracy, but so far
agents of the Department of Justice
have been unable to find him. Rorke's
arrest at $3.50 o'clock yesterday after
noon came at the end of search which
lasted several days.
Arms for Irish Revolt
In srrtherance of the conspiracy, it
is charged, arms and munitions were
TO be furnished to native subject of the
King in Ireland, and instruction in aheir
use was to be given. The overt act
cited in the complaint is the purchase
Of seven sub-machine guns from the
Auto Ordnance Company here on April
z, 1921, but it is alleged that the con-
spiracy continued from November 49,,
1921, up to the present. According to
Assistant United States District Attor-
ney Maxwell s. Mattuck. who filed the
complaint under instructions from the
Attorney General, the government has
definite information that the guns and
ammunition seized upon the East Side
were purchased by the alleged conspir-
ators.
At the time of the seizure Frank
Williams, of 100 West Forty-third
Street, contractor. declared that the
from him after ne had sent them to
hoboken to be placed in a warehouse.
he complained to the police of the
theft, but before detectives could
reach the vessel the customs authori-
ties. acting on advices from the ships
owners, had discovered the machine
guns in the coal bunkers, wrapped in
SACKS and marked engine room sup
plies. According to Mr.. Mattuck, all
CURED.
To Be Given Hearing To-day
Rorke, according 20 the evidence in
tine hands of the government. was the
man who arranged the purchase OF the
munitions in question, and authorized
their delivery to Williams He was
released in $4,000 bail by Commits
sioner Hitchcock for a hearing this
morning.
The prisoner gave his address as Sig
teenth Street, N. W., Washington, and
admitted that his only recent business
had been the sale of munitions. He
and married, and, according to Mr.. Mat
tuck, he admitted the purchase of seven
sup-machlne guns mentioned in the
complaint. He is at present under sub
poena to appear before the grand jury
IN Trenton as government witness in
the New Jersey proceedings in the case
Seizure Follows Workmen's Tip
The guns were taken aboard the
East Side at her dock in Hoboken from
small boats which came alongside on
the night of June IL. The suspicious
OF some non-union workmen employed
on the steamer were aroused, and they
informed George Bartlett, general su-
perintendent of the Cosmopolitan
SteamShlp Company, which was operat-
ing the East Side under a contract
with the Shipping Board. Thinking
that the mysterious sacks might con-
tain a bomb, he informed the revenue
men, who discovered 495 riot guns Of
the most modern type, capable of dis
charging 600 shots minute. With
them were spare parts enough to make
100 more rapid fire guns.
The engine room crew of the steam
er disappeared before the customs au-
thorities could find them, and have
not been apprehended. The guns and
ammunition seized are still held by
the revenue authorities. They are
valued at S150,000.