THE FREEMAN CASE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10297, 4 June 1919, Page 5

THE FREEMAN CASE

ASSUMES SERIOUS ASPECT PUBLIC DEMANDS FAIR TRIAL. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received June 3, 5T.35 p.m.) , SYDNEY, June 3. Tho Freeman case is assuming a serious aspect. Tho public is thoroughly aroused and is demanding a fair trial. Crowds besieged the wharf to-day. Labour sections ed to'hold up the Sonoma until Fr'ce- : man' is puf ashore. The wharf labourers have refused to work the cargo and the seamen and firemen threaten to strike unless the military authorities I sanation Freeman's removal. Freeman denies the allegations that he is i of German extraction or_ has any connection with the I.W.W. PROTEST AGAINST~FREEMAN'S DETENTION. SYDNEY, June' 3. A huge crowd headed by a band marched from the Trades Hall to the wharf to protest against the detention of the man Freeman. At one time it looked as if tho ship would be boarded. The prisoner was released, but it was decided to call a strike of wharf labourers to hold up the vessel until Freeman is liberated. The_ ship's surgeon states that Freeman is now in a dying condition as the result of his hunger etrike. A meeting of several thousand people held up the traffic in the centre of tho city last night to protest against Freeman's detention. "A DANGEROUS 1.W.W. , AGITATOR." MELBOURNE, June 3. Senator Russell has announced that Freeman is a disloyal dangerous I.W.W. agitator. He wap born in America of German parents. Ho will ba deported at tho first prJportunity. COLLISIONS WITH THE POLICE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association(Received June 4, 12.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, Juno 3. I'hero were further demonstrations to-night in connection with the Freeman affair. Some collisions with the police occurred. The mob threatened to invade tho wharf, and the policeused their batons. In a subsequent message it is stated that the Federal authorities ordered Freoman/s removal ashore pending; inquiry, and this had a pacifying effect. In a previous message it was stated that Freeman, without any reasons being given, was placed aboard the steamer Sonoma by tho military , authorities for deportation to America. Refused admission, to America, Freeman was carried _ from San Francisco and back three times. Tho Sonoma -is now in Sydney, and Freeman has started a hunger strike, with the object of compelling tho authorities to grant him a trial. He has fasted for several days, and is- very weak. I