The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-11
DE VALERA, BREAKING SILENCE
 DENIES IRISH GERMAN PLOTS
Assails British "White Paper" Issued for Obvious Purpose of Bringing to Play Preju- dices and HatredS of Past War Against Ireland
By Associated Press

DuDi1n, January IV.-tamOnn 0c
 VaIern, the Irish republican leader,
 broke his silence today with for
 mal statement vigorously denying
 the alleged German-Irish plot
 against Great Britain and attack
 ing the governments "white pa-
 per,' issued Saturday concerning
 such a plot.
 There was no such thing as this Ger man plot in 191S,' says the statement. "I have asserted this in America time after time. I now repeat it here.
 From July 1917, I was intimately in touch with all the major activities both of the Sim Fein political organization and the Irish volunteers, and so I speak with knowledge and authority Lord Wimborne (then lord lieutenant of lre- land)-not MT. Lloyd George-told the truth on this matter. The general char acter of this report, it's total untrust- worthiness and it's obvious purpose to bring to play on the side of the authors of the present military freightfulness in Ireland all the prejudices and hatreds of the past war can be inferred from the portions that have reference to me per sonally.
 (Section missingl
 NOT HIS WRITING
 For example: Firstly, the document 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. it was neither com posed by me nor composed at my sug- gestion nor was it on my person.
 1T suggest that representative Amer ican or continental press men ask MT. Lloyd George to let them see the original document or a photographic copy of it; it won't need an expert to decide that the writing is not mine When that is done will give a full history of the document supported by proofs that will be conclusive.
 'AThe way the British cabinet has im- pressed this document into it's service might be taken as a standard to illus trate how they manufacture such plots
 Secondly. The press has already com mented on the fact that although names were given without reserve throughout the report, letter found in my pos session is referred to as from known member of the Irish republican army, II will be interesting to know the reason for this.
 DESTROYED SIGNATURE
 This letter was handed to me. while presiding at a meeting few hours be- fore my arrest. Gt might have come from Lloyd George himself or from the original dscoverer of the German plot Sir Edward Carson.) glanced through the contents land later-although the document seemed of no particular con sequence, being, if genuine, nothing more than the writer's own views on the sit uation as regards conscription and steps that were being taken to meet it--as a safeguard to the writer from the atten- tions of the British should they get the letter, pinched off the signature This can be seen if the original is examined
 Thirdly, as to the document on com Imunications.s It was given to me as :; basis from which I might start to work lup a system of communications which was needed by the mansion house confer ence in connection with their work in View of the threatened enforcement of |eonscription-
 (Severas sections m'ss;ng.) EXCLUSIVE TO U. S.. The ~<gfafment. which was given out of fNcially through the sinn Fein publicity Hdepartment. was fifSu'e eAc'us'sehy 70 '''s American newspaper ..,as ponuen.s .1 Dublin. It will not be-a s't;' o sne l.,s,' and English newspapers tn so'nolsvm l,a,,r. l It is considered here tHF.a;.y '1 p,, that may have existed regal s ts VI ,,a', av vaiera's presence in Ireland xson cleared up by this communicaths 1, <. The Associated Press was informed.
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