Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 75, 1 July 1916, Page 5

Great Britain

SENTENCED TO DEATH. CONDEMNED MAN'S STATEMENT. United Press Association, London. Tune 30. The jury were out for fifty minutes, Then their verdict was announced, asemont smiled half sadly. Holding he dock rails, he read a statement, irst brokenly and then firmly, that he aid ho had written three weeks ago n prison.

He declared: “I am being tried by lie peers of the dead past. So anti,uated is the law that must be used o slay an Irishman that they brought in Act of 1351 to convict me!”

The prisoner reeled and looked as f ho would collapse. While he called or water he proceeded: “Individual ssassination is reserved'only for one lass of men, namely, Irishmen, This ourt and this jury and the . public ipinion of this country cannot but he irejudiced against me. I accept no erdict save at the hands oi my eoutirymeu!” He then produced another paper, xplaining that he wrote it last night, ‘I wont a way that 1 knew must, lead i© to the dock. I am proud to stand ,cre to-day.” He thanked the Chief isiice and shook hands with Gavin and )uffy. Tho three judges donned the black aps, and prisoner nervously smiled as ie was sentenced to death. Hie Lord fliief Justice (Lord Reading) pronouned the sentence, Justice Sir H. E. Vvory adding “Amen.”

Casement smiled to a friend in court ,nd left the dock.

The Daily News is doubtful whether t is true wisdom to give Casement the rown of martyrdom. If the other re>els deserved death he doubly deservd it, but the authorities may well ask vhether it is prudent to add another lenient to the danger of a perilous lituation.

SPREAD OF SINN FEINISM.

ALARMING STATEMENTS

i London, June 28. Lord Lansdown© and Mr Walter jong have tendered their resignations. The Daily Chronicle says that though ;he Ministerial crisis is serious, it is lot desperate. Sir Edward Carson and his Lister ■olleugucs are unwavering in their conviction that a settlement, should bo effected on the basis of Mr Lloyd Jeorge’s proposals. Except the Morning Post and Yorkdiire Post, all the leading Unionist journals favor a settlement. In the House of Lords, lan-d Middleton insisted upon the gravity of granting Government powers to an Irish Vssombly. If an election were hold now, Mr Redmond would not bring back a third of his following. The result would be a pro-German majority. While the Government was talking the German army in Ireland was growing. Lord LanSdowne said it was premature to discuss the matter. There were no proposals to discuss yet . He added that the Government had certainly authorised consultations, but they were in nowise bound to accept the proposals. The debate in the House of Lords disposes of tb© rumors that. Loid Lansdowne has resigned, Apparently the whole Irish settlement is still in a fluid state. Mr Lloyd George’s proposals were only before Cabinet alte. the Whitsuntide holidays. Their examination has not yet been concluded. The Marquis of Crewe inicdentally. explained that Mr Lloyd George s proposals were the suggestion ol a mediator, not the terms of an arbitrator. A feature of the debate was Lord Salisbury’s and Lord Middleton’s description of the condition of Ireland, whereof the public was wholly ignoiant. They said the position of the loyalists, both Unionists and Nationalists, was becoming very precarious in many parts. Sinn Feinisra was beoom.ng the dominant faith in three Nationalist provinces. Matters wore daily growing worse, because the people believed the Government was about o make a complete surrender. Lord Salisbury stated that a number of rebels, released from prison, bad returned to Ireland wearing Sinn Fern uniforms, and Were engaged in organising the country against the Government.

surrender was a mercy. A Canadian general, when surrounded, drew his sword and refused to surrender. He cut down a German sergeant, whereupon an infantryman bayoneted the general, who was still fighting like a madman. A DESERTER’S STORY. London, June 29. Amsterdam reports that a German deserter who arrived in Holland said be made up bis mind to desert when he was sent to Ypres, because of its reputation. The accurate British fire was dreaded in the German army.

LLOYD GEORGE’S PROPOSALS. London, June JO. The Times says that Cabinet is making a detailed, critical examintion ot Mr Lloyd George’s scheme, paying particular attention to the condition of Ireland for the purpose of providing safeguards for the protection of the (Unionists in the west and south, and to ensure that the naval and military efforts will in no way be hampered. PUBLIC OPINION, London, June 80. Public opinion is unable to understand the position in connection with the Irish negotiations. Newspaper comment reflect general doubt.

The Daily News comments on Lord Lansdowno’s caution. it is evident ho realised the gravity of the moment.

The Daily Mail, however, protests against Lord Lansdowno’s speech as most mischievous and calculated to cause grave doubts in Ireland as to the good faiih of the British Government.

The Morning Post says it is now clear that Ministers never imagined they gave Mr Lloyd George a free hand to commit them to a. cut and dried proposal. Mr Lloyd George had pledged the Cabinet without its authority. He tried the hustling trick and sought to rush an Irish settlement. The trick did not come off. THE ACT OF A LUNATIC. London, June ‘29. Captain Colthurst, who shot the Irish journalist Skeffing.on and two other prisoners during the trouble in Dublin, has been committed to a criminal lunatic asylum. (Tlie three men were in the guardroom, where they had been all night, and in the morning Outburst ordered them out and had them shot.)

KITCHENER’S ESTATE.

DISTRIBUTION OF £111,4*1. . (Received' 9 a.m.) London, June 30. Kitchener’s estate was valued at £171,421.. The testator bequeaths £2OO to several officers on his staff, including Brigftdier-General Birdwood and Colonel Fitzgerald, £20,000 to his nephew (Mr H. P. Kitchener), and the residue to Commander H. F. Kitchener. The testator bequeathed Colonel Fitzgerald (who perished with him) all his Feast African estates. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. (Received 11.30 a.m.) ‘ Loudon, Juno 30. Tlie South African members of Parliament arrived. The New Zealanders arrive to-mor-row. An Australian mid-week entertainment is being arranged, including dinners at the House of Commons and the Mansion House and also a>dinner by the High Commissioners before the party begin their tours. Mr Selhoim, accompanied by Mr Fairbairn, a Bed Cross officer, is proceeding to Switzerland to arrange for the release of the interned Australians, and to negotiate a basis for the exchange of prisoners.