THE WILSON MURDER.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1922, Page 1

THE WILSON MURDER.

IUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. SADDENED AND HORRIFIED. NKAV YORK, June 22 Americans are saddened and horrified •it Sir Henry Wilson’s assassination. They express tlio deepest condemnation of the act, and point out that Sir Henry AA’ilson was one of the fairest men in England, and one of Ireland’s ’ host friends, ft is declared that if Irish Republicans committed the crime it will be a serious setback to the Irish Free State. j General .J. J. Pershing said : “This is an outrage that will shock civilisation. Sir Henry Wilson was known as ■, a fair-minded and upstanding soldier, j His death fills me with a profound I sense of personal loss.” j PARTS, Juno 21 Tlie assassination caused consternation here, and horrified political circles. ! Al. Pointnire intends to attend the | funeral. He and President Alillernnd , sent condoling telegrams to Lady AYilson. .Marshal Foch was deeply moved. He said it was unbelievable that such a splendid soldier and noble comrade should have fallen hv the assassin’s revolver. NEW YORK, June 22. The newspapers consider the assassination of Sir Henry AYilson the greatest misfortune to Ireland. The “New York World” says:— “The echoes of the murder will he a long time dying out. They will he heard in Belfast and Westminster. The curse of Ireland to-day is the gunmen and hands of irresponsible so-called soldiers.” The "New York Times” says:—. “This brutal assassination is one more illustration of the malign fate which historically lias pursued Irish selfgovernment.” The “New York Herald” says the assassination “is further ghastly evidence of tile malign spirit that is still haunting parts ot Ireland.’

PRISONERS CHARGED. LONDON, June 23. I( is stated Sir H. AYilson was marked for death, and knew it. Tt is also declared Colonel Gretton. a prominent “Die Hard” Unionist. ALP., had been warned of the probability of an attempt on his life, but that it had not had the slightest effect in deflecting him from what ho thought his duty to Sir H. Wilson. Sir TT. AYilson was regarded as being a particularly dangerous man to the schemes of the Irish Republican extremists.

Colonel Gretton alleges the Government had been warned that gunmen acre coming over but no notice seemed to have boon taken. The Cabinet has sent a message to the London Police Commissioner paying a tribute to the courage and devotion of the police in arresting'the murderers of AYilson.

A crowd is making a pilgrimage today to Eaton Place, being most interested, in a bullet hole in the door of Wilson’s house.

r.oxnox press commext. T.OXDOX, .Tune 2T _ | "Tiio Times” siignintisos (lie assassijuition its “the foulest of Irisli political crimes,” ami says that “deep lasting indignation of public opinion will reprobate the murders and those wlm tolerated a system of political murders. of which tliis crime was the outcome.” The “Daily Mail” states: —The murder will roust* the passionate anger of English people, who are slow to wrath, and of almost infinite patience. The “TTerald” comments: —"Tt is terrible to think Ireland’s cup of happiness has once more been dashed from her lips.” The Home Minister. Mr Sh.ortt said that protection had been removed from everyone except the Irish Secretary, Mr Ilamar fireenwood. T.OXDOX. .Tune 21. The late Sir Henry Wilson Ts to be accorded a State funeral. The l.ondon “Morning Post” states:—The Cabinet has received, with consternation, . a message from T.adv At ilson declaring that the presence of any Cabinet Minister at her husband’s funeral would be distasteful to her. She refused a- l'Ofpiest to reconsider the matter, until it was pointed out, on behalf of the Ministers. that the absence of His Majesty’s Ministers from a State I unoral would be disrespectful to the King.” The “Post” adds: —“Mr Chamberlain called on T.adv Wilson after the tragedy to express his sympathy He was shown int-o a room wherein the widow's niece entered. She asked who he was. When told she exclaimed: “How dare j you come to this house ’’ Mr C haniberlnin thereupon left *.t.” T.adv Wilson will not allow the removal of the field marshal’s uniform in which he died she being firmly resolved that lie shall he buried in it. The King and tile Ulster Parliament sent eondoleneos to T.adv Wilson, and the Ulster members of the House of Commons also sent messages. The driver of the tnxi-enb wl/.ch conveyed Wuson home called a.t Scotland , t ai d and made a long statement. M. Millerand has sent a message tithe King, saving:—“The tragic death of this splendid soldier moves profoundly all Frenchmen, who will nevei forget the sympathies which he, on many occasions, displayed toward? France, and the admirable role ho play ed in the organisation of victory.” The King responded. Tint “Pall Mall .Gazette” has been officially informed Sir IT. Wilson will ho buried in St. Paul’s. The King of the Belgians sent a message to the King expressing indignaon at the shocking murder of Sir H. Wilson who was a distinguished, able general, who rendered such services ti the Allies. The King replied that tin British nation “appreciated the knowledge that you share our sorrow. Winn.'" appalled that Sir H. Wilson was the victim of such a dastardly crime.” PBTSOXF.BS TX COFBT. T.OXDOX, June 23. Connolly and O’Brien were smuggled in by a hack entrance to the police court, outwitting a crowd which congregated at the main entrance. Both looked dishevelled, and unkempt. They were bandaged on their heads and faces, and were hearing traces of their struggle. Connolly, is a tall, burly, broadshouldered. heavy man, with eleanshaved features, and a mop of black ban;. He looked quickly round court, as if seeking some familiar face. O’Brien, who has a wooden leg, nervously clutched the dock rail. Mr Travers Humphreys intimated that ho had been instructed to prosecute, on charges, firstly, of murder of

Wilson secondly, of shooting with intent to murder March, arid Sayer (a civilian) , and Alexander Clark. Mr Humphreys then indicated tho gravity of possibilities behind the crime, when ho said:—“lt will probably be found necessary to ask the Court that the names of the witnesses • hall bo not published. Tt will certainly Im> necessary to ask that no photographs he taken or published of the persons involved in The ease. Detective Inspector Burton gave evidence of charging the accused at the police station. Neither, he said, made any reply. Connolly had then asked how' the wounded people were progressing, and was told tlieir condition was favourable. He then remarked: “T am glad to hear that!” Formal evidence was given, and when a remand was granted, the accused immediately were surrounded by police. Connolly again glanced around the Court. The accused wore removed to Brixto Prison from tlio front exit, again outwitting tho crowd, who now were watching the rear exit. Six officers rode at tho rear of the van,, several detectives following in a motor car.

DENOUNCED RY DE VALERA. ■LONDON, June 23. Regarding the shooting of Field Marsha] Wilson (Military Adviser to the Government of Ulster), Mr de Valera has issued a statement in Dublin to the efTeet that “the killing of any human being is an awful net. but is as awful when the victim is a humble worker ns when the victim is placed on the seats of the mighty and is known in every corner of the world. It is characteristic of our hypocritical civi. lisation that only in the latter cases are we expected to cry out and express our horror and condemnation. For my part. I have nothing hut loathing for such conventional statements, when the plain means to secure that such awful happenings shall not occur are deliberately put aside. Ido not approve; lint do not pretend to misunderstand.”