THE IRISH REBELLION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 35, 16 May 1916, Page 5

THE IRISH REBELLION.

CASEMENT'S TFJIAL, GREAT PUBLIC INTEREST. [United Pujbks ahsooiaw"*.! London, May 15. There is intense interest in Sir Roger Casement's trial, and the demand for admission tickets is so great that the authorities are determined to issue none, and the public'must wait in a queue. This procedure resembles that observed in the Colonel Lynch case in 1903. Casement is in good health, though there are indications that he is breaking down. On the first day after his arrest he was taken to Brixton gaol, under a strong armed guard, and thence to the Tower where he was incarcerated in the room in which Car! Lody, the German spy, spent the night before his execution. Casement, it is expected, will be brought to BowStreet Court in a taxicah, with armed guard, and thus be spared the indignity of a journey in the "Black Maria.'' Sir V. F. Smith, K.C., and Mr Bodkin, K.C, will lead for the Crown. Mr Mealy has refused a brief for Casement. Messrs Artemus Jones and J. Morgan defend Casement in his court-mar-tial. EVIDENCE AT THE TRIAL. THE PLANS DISCLOSED. (Received 9.40 a.m.) London, May 15. Bailey added that he overheard the fact that a submarine was piloting a Wilson liner to Tralee, carrying two thousand rifles, several million roundsof ammunition, ten machine f-uns, and bombs.

A laborer named Ilussey taid ho saw n light fh'.cli ser.ward, and a collapsible boat shortly came shoreward. f\. .:ront, who was found hiding in a ruined lurt, g:'.ve his name as Richmond Morton. I,a!or in London lie confessed to liis: identity. Divers discovered a v\ssrl sunk on the Irish coast named the Aude which carried Russian rifles of the 1905 pattorn. When the men wore formally charged, Casement declared that Bailey was innocent, and that ho wished to orovide Bailey with defence. John Robertson, a returned army medical prisoner, gave evidence that Casement addressed the Irish prisoners at Liraburg. One prisoner attacked Casement. About fifty joined the Irish ; Brigade. | CHARGE OF HIGH TREASON. {CASEMENT'S ACTS IN GERMANY. ■ (Received 9 a.m.)

J London Mav 15. | Bailey, in a statement, said he was !a reservist of the Irish Rifles, a goods i jporter at Paddington station, and was ! recalled to the Colors at the outbreak 'of the war. He sailed to France with the. original Expeditionary Force and 'was made prisoner early in September, 'J 914, ! Sir F. E. Smith outlined Casement's history. He said that the evidence would show that ill January, 1910, he Irepcatedly addressed the Irish Brigade, 'and invited the prisoners to join. He; emphasised that everything could be gained for Ireland by Germany winning, and that the Irish soldiers had the best opportunity they ever had of I striking a blow for their land. All .joining would go to Berlin as the Go:vernment's guests. In the event of :Germany winning a battle at sea, I Casement would land a brigade in Ireland; but in the event of Germany [losing, every man would receive ten to | twenty pounds and free passages to I America.

I Mr Smith said he was proud to say ithe majority treated Casement with I contempt. On one occasion he was [hissed and booej out of the camp. The Minister Fusiliers particularly resented his proposals and Casement was only saved from violence by the intervention of an escort of Prussian Guards. Here Casement smiled and glanced at his fellow-prisoner. Mr Smith, continuing, f said those prisoners refusing to agree to the proposal .were punished by a reduction iir their ration's. A few seceded, and for their allegiance received certain privileges and a green uniform decorated with/a harp. Bailey was one of these.

The Attorney-General said the charge was that "Casement and Bailey committed high tereason on diverse occasions bet'wee'n November 1, 1014, and April '2l 1916. Bailey was promoted to Sergeant in the German Irish Brigade, ; which was intended to raise insurrection in Ireland. Bailey made a statement to the polics on April 21, asserting that altogether fifty-six Irish accompanied Casement to Berlin, where they went to. the War Office and later proceeded to Wilhclmshaven. Casement himself and a third Irishman named Monteith boarded the U2O and sailed for Ireland, but were forced to return to Heligoland by accident, though they eventually reached the, Irish coast at Tralee. Three men in a collapsible boat landed one morning with ammunition which thoy buried in the sand. i.

GERMAN TREATMENT OF IRISH PRISONERS. INDUCEMENTS TO JOIN IN THE REVOLT. (Received 10.40 a.m.) London, May 15. Robinson added that the Irish prisoners were hotter treated than the English. Pamphlets and manifestos were circulated, recounting Ireland's grievances. One manifesto said: '"You fought for Belgium, though that 'country was no more to you than 1 Fiji." They were asked to sign a f form declaring their willingness to I fight for Ireland on the side of Germany. John Cronin, of the Minister Fusiliers, gave evidence that the Irish were badly treated until Casement appeared. Then the treatment improved, | but the prisoners not joining the Irish |Brigado were not allowed bread. j William Kgan deposed that there 'were 3,500 Irish at Limburg. PRIME MINISTER VISITS BELFAST London, May 14. Mr Asquith proceeds to Belfast on 'Monday to attend the conference of 'the civil and military authorities. He will be the first Prime Minister to visit Belfast since Lord Salisbury. IRSSH COALITION GOVERNMENT MOOTED. i j NEWSPAPER OPINIONS. I London May 15. There are widespread rumors that the (Jovernment propose to establish a provisional government, representing all parties, in Ireland. It is expected that a council ,will be established in Dublin, resembling the Viceroy's Council in India, upon which Nationalist and Unionist Commoners ami Irish public men will sit, forming what will be called an Irish Coalition Government. Tt is announced that Lord Derby will" succeed Lord Wimborne. The Daily Chronicle says that after the manner in which the Nationalists rallied to the defence of the Empire, even a Unionist Government could not withhold Home Rule at the end of the war for at least the three southern provinces but Ulster's consent must be won for Ulster's treatment, and the, future coercion of Ulster is impossible. If the time is not ripe and an agreement is opposed, the Irish leaders might form a War Executive- to pre

rent a continuance of the Dublin Castle system. Despite the currency ol rumors, *.'•• Redmond and Sir E. Carson wore .... ..-..-.-.re of the negotiations regarding the new executive, and were not invited to Dublin to confer with Mr Asquith and other leading Irishmen. Nevertheless, it is evident that ; Jie calamity of Faster wool; has shocked Irishmen of all shades of opinion. into a re-examination of their responsibilities and recriminations, h nvever they may intend to continue. Thus, the Freeman's Journal published verbatim Mr Dillon's speech, with the mo.-e violent passages in heavy type. The Irish Times hopes that all Irishmen will cooperate to build up a bright future upon the miserable past. The Daily Express, in a loading article, headed, "Let the Castle Go," says that it is intolerable that a Government whose duty it is to defeat Germany should be distracted by Irish disaffection.

i PRESS COMMENT. I I MATTERS AT A DEADLOCK. (Received 8.50 a.m.) London, May 15. The Daily News sates that it is informed that the communications between the Nationalists and Ulstermen are afc a deadlock. The Nationalists are ready to give up arms, but the Ulstermen raised difficulties, stating that if they relinquish them they want to keep their arms in a handy place. The Morning Post protests against the view that the rebels are merely misguided idealists, and that the only virtuous course is to discover what they really want and give it to them. The Post says that the only way to restore order in a lawless country inflamed by German conspirators, and fed by German money, and spoiled by wanton indulgence- is to place an honest capable, and resolute administrator in charge. ENEMY INTEREST IN THE REVOLT. London, May 14. The Times' Stockholm correspondent says: "A Swedish traveller, just returned from Germany, says that at Munich parliamentarians discussed an impending revolt in the extreme west) of Ireland. Germany's communication

with the rebels was maintained through Bergen. Asked how letters evaded censorship and passenger scrutiny the traveller replied: "Wherever submarines go there is no censored postal service." The Germans did not expect, a successful revolt, which could not occur without the cooperation of German troops, whom it was as impossible to land in Ireland as in England. The rebels only suffer from an abortive insurrection, but that is not Germany's concern. Generally, the Germans have no sympathy with Ireland. Another Suede declared that there was great excitement in Berlin. He left three days before the revolt, and it was believed that Britain would be forced to v 'divert 200,000 men to keep order. Berliners declared that the War Ministry was daily in wireless communication with Dublin.