30. Major NEWMANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the constant raiding and seizing of arms by parties of armed and masked men in all parts of the country; whether he is aware that on the 14th instant three men at four o'clock in the afternoon boarded the schooner "Gostone" lying in Cork, produced a warrant from the Irish Republican Army authorising the removal of any arms on the vessel, and proceeded to confine the captain in his cabin; and what measures are being taken to deal with this state of things?
§ Mr. SAMUELSA considerable number of raids for arms by parties of armed and masked men have been reported from various parts of Ireland. The facts as regards the incident in Cork are correctly stated except that the occurrence took place at 3.15 p.m. on 12th instant. No arms were found on the schooner raided. Every effort is being made to put a stop to these raids, but it is obviously undesirable to state precisely the police measures which are adopted.
§ Captain REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether any raids have been made for arms upon the quarters of the Ulster Volunteers in Belfast or elsewhere?
§ Mr. M'GUFFINCan he say if arms were received by the Nationalists from Germany?
§ Mr. DEVLINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for the Duncairn Division of Belfast (Sir E. Carson) dined with the German Emperor before the War?
§ Sir E. CARSONMay I say that that is an absolute falsehood.