It should not be forgotten, however, that it is always
possible that the German paymasters of the Sinn Fein leaders may black- mail them into action. Men who have once accepted money corruptly are more or leas at the mercy of the donor. A German threat that if the Sinn Fein leaders refused to respond when Ger- many pulled the strings one or more of those leaders would be assassinated would not be an entirely empty threat Tho rebels themselves boast that parts of the coast are open to German in. cursions in order to land arms, and they ought to know. The precise degree of intimidation which Germany could bring to bear by means of her agents in Ireland is within their knowledge. There was evidence in the case of Casement that at the last moment he was sent upon his futile and fatal errand to Ireland as a result of the threats of the German Government into whose keeping he had surrendered both his body and his soul. It should not he assumed that the Sinn Feiners have it entirely in their own power to decide whether they will or will not attempt another rebellion.
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