On Monday the Commission heard Lord Midleton and Lord Wimborne.
But first a letter was read from General Macready denying t hat Mr. Birrell had ever asked. for troops to overawe the
San Feiners. He had only asked for troops to encourage re- cruiting. Mr. Birrell replied that in three interviews he had made tke point that the people of Dublin ought to see troops marching about the streets. Lord Wimborne described how the Lord- Lieutenant's powers in recent years had been " entirely usurped by the Chief Secretary and the Under-Secretary." He had little informa- tion, and no power to assert his views. For some time he had actually depended upon the Press for his knowledge of what was happening. When the connexion between the Sinn Feiners and Germany seemed to have been established he wanted to arrest the rebel leaders, but Sir Matthew Nathan objected og the ground of ille- gality. Lord Midleton's evidence related to his persistent attempts to awaken the Government, and to induce them to send troops to Ireland.
Previous page
