DRAMATIC ARREST OF SINN FEIN LEADERS

GERMAN PLOT EXPOSED VICEROY’S PROCLAMATION

Events in Ireland have developed with startling rapidity.

Late on Friday Viscount French, the Viceroy, issued a Proclamation to the Irish people. It announced the discovery of a German plot, against which drastic measures must be taken.

This was followed by the arrest during the night and on Saturday of practically the whole of Sinn Fein’s leaders, the prisoners numbering over 100. Among them are: Mr De Valera, MP, Count Plunkett, MP, Mr Joseph Mcguinness, MP, Mr W T Cosgrave, MP, Mr Arthur Griffiths and Madame Markievicz. Other prisoners are the chairman of the Roscommon Town Commissioners; Darrell Figgis, the poet; Professor Monaghan; and Dr Richard Hayes.

Forty-six of the prisoners have been brought by a warship to Holyhead. All the arrests were made under the Defence of the Realm Act, and so far no definite charge has been disclosed.

ARRESTS QUIETLY MADE

In Dublin the arrests were effected quietly. Soldiers accompanied police, and in the motor-wagons the prisoners were removed from their homes. Not a few of the men were in bed when arrested. Mr. de Valera and Madame Markievicz were taken out of doors, the first-named at Grey-stones, Co. Wicklow, as he stepped out of a train, and the second as she walked towards her home in Dublin.

The Sinn Fein offices in Harcourt-street, Dublin, and the National Aid offices in Bachelor’s-walk, Dublin, were raided and searched to-day. So far, however, there has been no trace of excitement. The events have passed off quietly, and people are discussing the new move intently, and surmising what may happen next. The general feeling is that with the taking of its leaders Sinn Fein’s power of resistance has been scotched, if not completely killed.

What the Nationalist party may do now is a matter of interesting speculation. The possibility is that the party may return to Parliament as soon as the House meets. Meanwhile, the Lord Mayor of Dublin finds himself in a most awkward situation. The exposure of a German plot, involving not a few among the leaders who profess to represent the “real Ireland,” is not likely to create a “favourable atmosphere” for his mission to the President at Washington.

TRIALS IN ENGLAND GERMAN EMISSARY’S DOCUMENTS

Our Parliamentary Correspondent states that the arrest of the Sinn Fein leaders was the direct outcome of important evidence which came into the hands of the Irish Executive last week. It will be recalled that a man was caught on the coast of Ireland, having been presumably conveyed near the shore by a German submarine, and then landed in a collapsible boat. Documents of a most compromising character were found in his possession, and he is now in the Tower of London awaiting the action of the authorities.

The Irish captures quickly followed. The bulk of the leaders of Sinn Fein, and probably the rank and file also, will not be arraigned in Ireland, where, in present circumstances, a fair trial would be out of the question. They will accordingly be brought to England, where they will doubtless be charged with treason. As yet the Law Officers have not decided what the procedure shall be. The prisoners may be tried by courtmartial. Or they may be brought to Bow-street Police-court, committed to the Central Criminal Court, and tried either by the ordinary tribunal or by a special tribunal in the nature of a trial-at-bar, which is usually conducted by three judges.