FOR HIGH TREASON

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2808, 28 June 1916, Page 5

FOR HIGH TREASON

TRIAL OF SIR ROGER CASEMENT CASE FOR THE CROWN MOTION TO QUASH THE INDICTMENT By Tole£rraDh--Prc23 A^oc:;uioii--Copyri£lit London, June 26. Tlio High Court galleries were packed, and a crowd outside was unable to gain admission. Sir Roger Casement was neatly attired, inil was less nervous tlian when he appeared ill the X'olice Court. The indictment was iu dimple terms: That he did solicit, invite, and endeavour to persuade -the -King's subjects, prisoners of war, to forsake their duty and allegiance to the King. Before Casement was allowed to make his plea, Mr. Sullivan, for /-he defence, interposed and moved to quash the indictment; on the ground that it was not an alleged act done in. any territory over which the King had dominion.-. , The Judges consulted, and replied that the proper time to move to quash the indictment was after the case for the prusecution had closed. Casement then pleaded "Not guilty" in a firm voice. The prisoner challenged numerous jury- . inon, rejecting nineteen for the twelfth juror. The Attorney-General (Sir F. E. Smith) > in opening said the prisoner was guilty of a most heinous crime, and the Court would have to consider whether it was aggravated by the position ho formerly held. The prisoner was an, able and cultivated man, well versed politically. He was not a life-long rebel against England, like some others iu history. His career was marked with great distinction, lie had assisted in. the consolidation and development of a great Empire, and eventually retired en an. honourably earned pension. The Attorney-General detailed the col* lection of Irish prisoners at Limburg, which had evidently been done for a special purpose. Tho prisoner at this time apparently was an honoured German guest, willing to play a part iu seducing tho captured Irish soldiers from their allegiance. Sir F. E. Smith suggested that this was tho forerunner of a German invasion of Ireland, but tho vast majority of tho prisoners treated Casement's rhetoric with contempt. Sir F. E. Smith then detailed the landing of Casement in Ireland and his arrest. A witness, Cronin, testified to Casement's activities. He believed that ill the event of Germany winning the sea fight the Irishmen' who joined Casement would bo landed in Ireland. If Germany failed to win the war they would receive free passages to America and .£2O. The evidence closely followed that given in the Police Court trial. THE REBEL DEATH SENTENCES London, June 26. In the House of Commons, the UnderSecretary for War (Mr. H. J. Tennant) said that thirty-four people who had taken part in the Irish rebellion, and who had been sentenced to death, had had their sentences commuted to penal servitude for life. MR. REDMOND'S TRIUMPH THE CONVERSION OF NATIONALIST ULSTER.' ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, June 26. The "Daily Mail" declares that tho decision of the Ulster , Nationalists is a great triumph for Mr. John Redmond, who staked his career on the acceptance of the Lloyd George proposals. Tho result has caused profound satisfaction in London. No further serious opposition to the proposal is expected. MEETING OF NATIONALIST MEMBERS. RESOLUTION 'OF SATISFACTION. (Rec. June 27, 8.50 p.m.) London, June 27. Mr. Redmond presided at a meeting of fifty Nationalist members of the House of Commons at Dublin, which resolved, with two dissentients: "That this meeting has. learned with the deepest gratitude of tho decision, of the Ulster Conference in agreeing to the temporary exclusion of the six counties. This will create a new obligation upon the. whole of Ireland to work uninterruptedly for the early restoration of a united and self-governed nation'.' In our judgment Mr. Lloyd George's proposals afford the best means of promoting that object, and 6hould be accepted." HOME RULE AND CABINET MINISTERS. RESIGNATIONS ON THE CARDS. (Rec. June 27,. 10.50 p.m.) . London, June 27. It is feared that tho Marquis of Ixms- , downe, Mr. W. H. Long, and Lord Robert Cecil will follow Lord Selborne's retirement. / Mr. Bonar Law will preside at a gen. eral meeting of the Unionists on Wed- .. jicsday. TO REPRESENT THE KING IN IRELAND RUMOURED OFFICE FOR THE DUKE 1 OF. CONNAUGHT. Ottawa, June 26. It is believed that the Duka of Connaught, who is shortly retiring from the Governor-Generalship, will be appointed to represent the King in Ireland under Homo Rule.