The New York herald., 1921-07-03

For even while these sinister details
we're being related, strains OF ragtime
ioated down the stairs. and there could
be heard overhead the patter or the feet
Of Miss Blanks guests, and there could
wen be perceived Miss Blanks lady and
and in corners. This seems character
lstic Of toypsy-turvy ireland to-day.
Police Are Bamed.
There Is undoubtedly an increasing
criminal element taking advantage or
the unsettled conditions I'm the southern
counties. against which the police seem
practically powerless there are also the
intricate Vaccinations Of Sim Fein.
The unfortunate populace falls between
two stools. IL not three. as the following
episode will show:
The wife Of big man OF business in
Cork was informed by her servants one
day that her housemaid must go. She
had been guilty OF the offence of hold
ing converse with Black and Tans. Sim
Fein vengeance. they pointed out. was
inevitable. But" the lady or the house
suggested. won't the Black and Tans
have a word or two to say II turn her
out?" And the other servants agreed
that they would. Anyway. the housemaid
remained. and the household has not so
far been disturbed.
Cork City is-or until lately was
full of spies. and one speedily found
that to be stray Englishman bent upon
an apparently aimless mission was to be
almost invariably mistaken for a Gov
ernment agent. Nor Is 1t an overpleas-
ant sensation to find yourself watched
at times through the lace curtains Of the
hotel window or to realize that. walking
up crowded street. you are being fol-
lowed by hungry looking individual in
brown. The least desirable place to visit
In such circumstances is the Victoria
Barracks. and for prudence sake one is
apt to return to ones hotel by cir
cuitous route.
Sim Fein intelligence Is exceedingly
keen, and IT soon dawns upon one that
most plain clothes visitors to the bar
racks are objects of peculiar interest TO
the various groups OF young men who
lounge at street corners in that vicinity.
Young Mems Movement.
was repeatedly assured in Cork that
militant Sim Fein was a young mems
movement exclusivcly--that the parents
disaprpoved. indeed begged their sons
not to participate in political activity.
During a long wait at the barrack gate
4
spectacle looking woman carrying 2
small basket and brown paper parcel,
pleading for an interview with her son.
who was awaiting his trial. The sentry
at the gate was uncouth, but not un-
kind.
Too late to-day, missis. You can see
him tomorrow between IL and IL. or 2
and g."
What can I bring him. please-cigar-
ettes-cake-tea?
When she went away presently.
nluttering through her tears. Maybe
he'll be released" II was difficult to be-
lleve that that woman counselled am
bush, treason, murder. But in Ireland,
they repeatedly tell one, you never
know"
And there were incidents of another
sort There was a calm spring evening
when I made my way out to Blackrock
and walked back along the river road.
Near to the city. at an open ground
where children play, high commotion
prevailed. Mothers. fathers. children,
and strangers were all jabbering to-
gether in a crowd. pointing In the direc-
ton of the town. Somebody's child. II
appeared. had been kidnapped by a mys-
terious individual In a motorcar.
A little farther on, on the outskirts of
the city, there was lonely burnt out
house. on the front of which was paint
eo up. Dublin" between two rudely
at-of-arms consisting of two grey
hounds heads above a scroll. upon
which was written the word "Libertas."
Beneath this again was the inscription.
Remember 1916! Irishmen, join the
r. A 7"