Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 72, 29 June 1916, Page 5

Great Britain

CABINET RESIGNATIONS.

(imr-un Tekhs Association

London, June 28

The Irish situation continues to l,c j difficult. It is understood thao Mr Long has resigned and that Lord Cursun •is a possible resignation. Tup meeting of the Unionists lias been post poned. Mr Asquith and Tvlr Lloyd George received a Unionist deputation from the west and south of Ireland and the city of Lublin, representing four hundred thousand Loyalists, protesting against the proposed settlement. The Times and Daily Mail demand that the Unionists accept Mr Lloyd George’s statement. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. London, June 28. In the House of Lords, replying to criticisms of the Government’s policy of disorganising the wool trade, Lord Sandhurst said the Government had acquired the 1916 clip at prices,based on values ruling immediately before the war, with an additional thirty per cent., with a view to the farmers’ in creased expenses. Seventy-five per cent, of the estimated value was paid on delivery and the balance after final ( inspection. The Government has accepted a proposal to render conscientious objectors ineligible for tho Indian Civil Service. CASEMENT ON TRIAL. AN IRRESPONSIBLE STATEMENT. * EFFECT OF NAVAL BLOCKADE REFEERED TO. r REFLECTIONS ON HIS PERSONAL HONOR!

(Received 9.15 a.m.) London, June 28

Casement made a statement, but not upon oath. Speaking with con siderablo emotion, he said ho wished to say a few words with reference to some misstatements in the evidence. He declared lie never at any time asked Irishmen to light for Germany, always claiming that Irishmen had no right, to fight for any land bur Ireland. fThe statement that he got his own people reduced to starvation in rations because they did riot join the Irish: Bngac|oj>- was an abominable falsehood] TShe wore reduced throughout Germany owing to -the blockade. The suggestion that -the men were sent to the punishment camps at his instigation because they would not join the Brigade was unfounded. He had not sold himself to any man or Government. Ho did pot allow any Government to use him. From the moment he landed in Germany to tlio moment he left it, he never asked nor accepted a single penny for any purpose, but only the money of Irishmen. Money was otfered. to him more than once, often liberally and unconditionally, hut ho rejected every suggestion of tile kind;He left Germany poorer than he enpi tered it. He hoped members of tha! jury .and even his most bitter. enen*iT comprehended t?iat J the' man whom newspapers called “only another Irlhh traitor” hiay be ‘‘a .'gentleman. He wished to state categorically that the rebellion was -not' made, directed,, er inspired from' Germany, and, not a penny of German gold financed it. Ho concluded: “I touched on these personal matters because they reflected on my honor, and were calculated to tarnish the cause I hold dear.”

Mr Sullivan’s motion to quash the proceedings was refused. The Chief Justice said be had no hesitation in stating, that adherence to the King’s enemies outside the Realm "as treason at common law.

Mr Sullivan, in his address, said no man heard Casement ask the liishmen to fight for Germany. He had asked the men to join the Irish Brigade when the war was over for the purpose of protecting the rights of Irish people against tyranny. This was not treasonable. Of fifty-two men recruited, not one fired a shot in Germany’s interests or appeared in the German ranks. The hearing has been adjourned.