SIR ROGER CASEMENT’S TRIAL

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 114, 16 May 1916, Page 5

SIR ROGER CASEMENT’S TRIAL

THE TRIAL OF SIR ROGER CASEMENT

BAILEY IN THE KM. I’ SOME OF THE EVIDENCE. TORKS GETTING SERIOUS FRIGHT. GERMANS GO TO ASSIST. RUSSIAN MARCH ON BAGDAD. GERMANS DRIVEN BY REVOLVER. : {: WAR DEMONSTRATIONS IN AMERICA. THE TROUBLE IN IRELAND. DEADLOCK BETWEEN NATIONALISTS AND ULSTERMEN ULSTER HESITATES TO ABANDON ARMS. (Reed. 5.50 a.m.). LONDON, May 15. The Daily News states that information to hand states that communications between Nationalists and Ulstermen have reached a deadlock. The Nationalists are ready to give up their arms, but the Ulstermen have raised difficulties; if they relinquish their arms they w’ant to keep them in a handy place. The Morning Post protests against the view that rebels are merely misguided idealists, and that the only virtuous course is to discover what they ‘really want, and give it them. The paper says the only way to restore order in a lawdess country, inflamed by German conspirators, fed by German money and spoiled by wanton indulgence, is to place an honest, capable and resolute administration i charge. TURKS IN ARMENIA BECOMING ALARMED. i, GERMAN OFFICERS AND MEN ASSISTING. CHRISTIANS FORCED TO DO ROADMAKING. , i.r€ v (Reed. 8.50 a.m.). ; i( V : " ’ ATHENS, May 15. Turks are alarmed at the Russian advance and great efforts aie being made to stem it.- Before Erzindjan many lines of trenches are cut, -but the Turks have chiefly relied on 4.7 and 7 inch guns. The transit j; of artillery is difficult, hut thousands of Christians hav e been forced to repair the Sivas-Erzindjan road and to build parallel roads. Many German ' officers are present with a stiffening of German troops. * Defensive works at Diarbekir are being feverishly pushed on, as the capture of the headwaters of the Tigris will cut off Bagdad’s supplies. - SMUGGLING CATTLE IN AUSTRO-HUNGARY. ROUMANIAN GOVERNMENT INSTITUTE ENQUIRIES. (Reed. 9.40 a.m.). BUCHAREST, May 15. • Smuggling amounting to 150,000 head of cattle by Austro-Hungary during the winter has caused a public outcry. The Roumanian Government opened a strict enquiry, though it is improbable all the culprits will be brought to hook. SHIPPING LOSSES IN APRIL. ' AS COMPARED WITH PREVIOUS YEARS. _ . i (Reed. 9.40 a.m.). • } LONDON, May 15. Liverpool underwriters estmate that shipping losses during April, apart from the Rangatira, amount to £5,909,000 as compared with £2,129,000 iu April 1915, and £323,000 in April 1314. * : PREPARING FOR WAR IN AMERICA. A MONSTER DEMONSTRATION IN NEW YORK. \J" . t (Reed. 9.40 a.m.). NEJW YORK, May 15. A monster demonstration of 150,000 pecule, including 20,000 women, accompanied by 200 bands paraded the streets for the purpose of urging -the nation to prepare for war. All professions were represented, including twenty Supreme Court Justices. j [ TROUBLE IN CHINESE GOVERNMENT. SFINANCES HAVE COMPLETELY BROKEN DOWN. (Reed. 9.40 a.m.). „ PEKING, May 15. Three loyal Yangtseze Generals proposed a conference at Nanking to discuss the presidency whereat loyal provinces were to be represented. Four southern provinces proclaimed General Liyuanhung president, though he is now at Peking, under the thumb of the Government. Delay in reaching settlement has resulted from financial trouble, culminating in the Cabinet proclaiming the notes of the two government banks temporarily inconvertible. Three .institutions upon which foreign debt is secured by customs, salt and railways, must accept these notes which are temporarily worthless for the purpose of foreign remittance. S DUTCH CATTLE GOING TO GERMANY. v TWO THOUSAND MILCH COWS WENT YESTERDAY. r - - (Reed. 9.4*^a/m.). ROTTERDAM, May 15. 5* ■ Great drives of cattle are constantly going from Holland towards Germany. Two milch cows crossed the frontier yesterday.

IRISH BRIGADE DETAILS RECITED. EXTRAORDINARY PROMISES FOR TREACHERY. (Reed. 9. 0 am.). LONDON, May 15. Mr. Bailey in a statement said he was a reservist -of the Irish Rifles, and a goods porter at Paddington Station. He was recalled to the colours at the outbreak of war and sailed to France with the original expeditionary force and was taken prisoner early in September 1914. Sir P. E. Smith outlined Casement’s history. Evidence would show that in January 1915, he repeatedlyaddressed the Irish Brigade and inv ited prisoners to join and he emphas ised that everything could be gained for Ireland by Germany winning. Irish soldiers had the best opportunity they ever had of striking a blow for their land. All Irish prisoners joining would go to Berlin as the German government’s guests. In the event of Germany winning a sea battle, Casement would land the brigade in Ireland. In the event of Germany losing, every man would receive ten to twenty pounds and a free passage to America. Smith said he was proud to say the majority treated Casement with contempt. On one occasion he was hissed and booed out of camp. The Munster Fusiliers particularly resented his proposals and Casement was only saved from violence by the intervention of his escort of Prussian Guards. Here Casement smiled and glanced at his fellow prisoner. Smith said prisoners refusing the proposal were punished by a reducytion of rations. A few seceded from their allegiance and received certain privileges. They were given a green uniform decorated with a harp. Bailey was one of these. Th e Attorney General said the charge was that Casement and Bailey committed high treason on divers occasions, between the first November 1914 and the 21st April, 1916. Bailey was promoted to be a sergeant in the German-Irish brigade which was intended to raise an insurrection in Ireland. Bailey made a statement to the police on the 21st April, asserting that altogether 56 Irish accompanied Casement to Berlin, where they went to the War Office. They later proceeded to Wilhelmshaven. Casement, himself, and a third Irishman named Monteith, boarded the U2O and sailed for Ireland. They were forced to return to Heligoland by an accident, but they eventually reached the Irish coast at Tralee. Three collapsible boats landed one morning with ammunition, which they buried in the sand. (Reed. 9.40 a.m.). LONDON, May 15. Bailey added that he overheard the submarine was piloting the Wilson Liner Tralee, which was carrying 2000 rifles, several million rounds of ara- ! munition, ten machine guns and bombs. A labourer named Hussey saw a light flash seaward ana a collapsible shortly came shoreward. Casement was found hiding in a ruined fort. He gave the name of Richard Morton. Later in London he confessed his identity. Divers think the discovered vessel sunk on the Irish coast was named Aude and carried Prussian rifles of 1905 pattern. When the men were formally charged Casement declared that Bailey was innocent and he wished to provide B'ailey’s defence. John Robertson, a returned army medical prisoner gave evidence that Casement addressed Irish prisoners at Limburg. One prisoner attacked Casement; about fifty joined the Irish Brigade. (Reed. 10.10 a.m.). LONDON, May 15. Robinson added, that Irish prisoners were better treated than English. Pamphlets and manifestoes were circulated recounting Ireland’s grievances. One manifesto said, “You fought for Belgium though it was not more to you than Fiji. They w r ere asked to sign a form declaring their willing'ness to fight for Ireland on the side of Germany. John Cronin, of the Munster Fusiliers gave evidence that the Irish were badly treated until Casement appeared, then their, treatment improved, but prisoners not joining the Irish Brigade were not allowed bread. William Egan deposed there were 3500 Irish at Limburg. CASEMENT TOO GOOD FOR BLACK MARTA LONDON, May 15. There is intense interest in the Casement trial. The demand for tickets was so great that the authorities determined to issue none. The public must wait in a queue. The procedure resembles the Lynch case in 1903 (when Col. Lynch who fought with the Boers and was afterwards elected to the House of Commons, was tried).

Casement is in good health, though there are indications that he is breaking down. On the first day of hi s arrest he was taken to Brixton Gaol by a strong armed guard and thence to the Tower, where he was incarcerated in hte room in which Lody the German spy) spent the night before his execution. It is expected he will be brought to Bow Street, in a taxi cab by an armed guard, thus being spared the indignity of a journey in Black Maria. Mr. Smith and Mr. Bodkin will lead for the Crown. Mr. Healy refused to take a brief for Casement. (Reed. 10.45 a.m.). ' | LONDON, May 15. Daniel Julian Bailey, a soldier arrested with Casement, was an Irish prisoner at Limburg who accepted Casement’s offer to assist the Germans, is in the dock with Casement, charged with high treason on divers occasions from November 1914. (Reed. 10.'55 a.m.). LONDON, May 15. ' The Attorney-General said the Aude first refused to accompany the Blue B'ell, which later fired a shot across her bows, then the Aude followed until nearing Queenstown when the Aude stopped. The Blue Bell saw white smoke issuing from her side and the two German ensigns were broken. The crew took to the boats and hoisted a white flag. The Aude sank quickly. The police found in the sand at Tralee, rifles, ammuniiton, flash lamps, maps, and a railway ticket from Berlin to Wilhelmshaven dated 12th April, which confirms Bailey’s statement, also a flag which the Attorney unfurled in court. It bore a yellow castle on a green background. Casement, while en route to Aidfort barracks dropped a paper containing a code, relating largely to the despatch rifle and ammunition ships. GERMAN TROOPS DRIVEN BY OFFICER'S REVOLVER. THE OFFICER BAYONETTED BY HIS MEN. GERMAN SOLDIERS ARE TERRIBLY DEPRESSED. j LONDON, May 14. Mr. Hamilton Fyfe, writing from Petrograd, says there are many signs that the German troops are depressed by their leaders’ broken promises to capture Riga and Dvinsk and-.this! end the war. An unfinished letter found on a. prlsonered sergeant said: “We talk no more of taking Dvinsk only of holding our position. It was said in January that many more troops would be sent. ; )We have not seen them. The Russians are very strong and their artillery is terrific. Our low-spirited soldiers are not eager to rush into danger. They recently attempted frequently to leave the trenches, but Avere always driven back by shells. Eventually the company refused to advance. The officer cursed them and vainly used his revolver on them. Three- or four of the company ohe3 r ed, but a hurricane of fire from the Russian batteries drove them back. The same night the officer was murdered with a bayonet. Ten men were then balloted for to be executed and the company was sent back.” ’ I I FRENCH AIRSHIP FALLS. THE CREW DROWNED. (Reed. 10.40 a.m.), .1.,... - PARIS, May 15. A French airship fell into the s ea, qff Sardinia, the crew of six were

GERMAN CLAIMS OF SUBMARINING. Received May 16th, at 9.40 a.m. BERLIN, May 15. Official: Submarine and mines, in April sunk, 96 merchantmen of a tonnage of 225,000. ' THE BELGIAN FRONT. GERMAN ATTACKS REPULSED. Received 9.65 p.m., May 15. LONDON, May 15. Sir Douglas Haig reports: After a very heavy bombardment on Saturday night by guns of all types, three parties attacked Plogsteert Wood. One entered our trenches but was immediately ejected. Scottish troops met other parties on the. parapet and dispersed them. THE ALLIES’ DETERMINAi TION. PRESIDENT POINCAIRE ’S POWERFUL WORDS. Received 9.65 p.m., May 5. PARIS, May 15. At Nancy, President Poincaire, in the course of a speech, said: Neither directly nor indirectly has Germany offered peace. We do not wish, her to offer it. We wish lier to ask it. We wish to impose conditions. We will not accept her’s- Until the enemies admit they arc beaten, we shall not cease to fight. CLEARING UP IN IRELAND. EVERYTHING PLANNED IN GERMANY. GREAT EXCITEMENT IN BERLIN. GERMANS IN DAILY COMMUNICATION WITH DUBLIN. (Times —Sydney Sun Services.) Received 5.5 p.m., May 15. LONDON, May 15. The "Times’ ” Stockholm conrespondent says a Swedish traveller who hag returned from Germany says that Munich Parliamentarians discussed the impending revolt in the extreme west of Ireland. Germany’s communication with the rebels was maintained through Bergen. Asked how the Itette|rs evaded the censorship and passenger scrutiny, the traveller replied that wherever submarines go there is no censored postal service. The Germans did not expect a successful revolt, which could not occur without the co-opelration of German troops which it was impossible to land in Ireland as in England. The rebels could only suffer an abortive insurrection, but that was not Germany’s concern. Generally, the Germans had no sympathy in Ireland.

Another Swede declared that thek’e was great excitement in Berlin. He left three days before the revolt. It was believed Britain would be forced to divert 200.000 men to keep order. Berliners declared that the War Ministry was daily in wireless communication with Dublin.

PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT RUMOURED.

MUCH DISCUSSION AND SPECULATION.

Received 10.45 p.m., May 15. LONDON, May 15. There are widespread rumours that the Government proposes to establish a Provisional Government Representing all parties in Ireland. It is expected that a Council will be established in Dublin resembling Queen Victoria's Council in India, upon which Nationalist and Unionist Commoners and Irish public men will sit, forming what may be called an Irish Coalition.

It is rumoured that Lord Derby will succeed Lord Wiraborne.

The “Daily Chronicle” says after the manner in which the Nationalists rallied to tiio defence of the Empire, even a Unionist Government could not withhold Home Rule at the end of the war to at least the three southern provinces, but Ulster's consent must be Avon for Ulster's inclusion. Future coercion of Ulster is impossible. Despite the currency of rumouts, Mr Redmond and Sin Edward Carson are unaware of negotiations regarding the new Executive. They have not been invited to Dublin to confer with Mr Asquith and other leading Irishmen. Nevertheless it is evident that the calamity of Easter week has shocked Irishmen of all shades of opinion into a re-examination of their responsibilities. Recriminations, however, tend to continue. Thus , the “Freeman’s Journal” published verbatim Mr Dillon’s speech, the more violent passages being pnt in hicavy type. The “Irish Times” hopes that all' Irishmen will co-operate to build up a bright future upon the miserable pasr. The “Daily Express,” in a leader headed “Trot the Castle Go,” says; It is intolerable that the Government, whose duty it is to defeat Germany, should be distracted by the Irish disaffection.”

GRAND DUKE NICHOLAS. GOING BACK TO POLAND. TO FIGHT HIS OLD OPPONENT. LONDON, May 14. German newspapers report that owing to his successes in Asia Minor, the Grand Duk e Nicholas has been offered a high command in the armies opposing Field Marshal Hindenburg. FIGHTING ROUND SALONIKA. SKIRMISHES WITH UHLANS. SALONIKA, May 14. Skirmishes have been fought during the past fortnight between Yeomanry and Uhlans, th e enemy losing twentyfour killed, besides prisoners and wounded. Our losses were nil. THE SIEGE OF KUT. NARRATIVE OF A GREAT DEFENCE. A THRILLING STORY. LONDON, May 15. Mr. Candler has furnished the first connected narrative of the siege of Kut. When General Townshend arrived at Kut on December 3rd, four Turkish divisions and some thousand tribesmen were within ten miles of the B’ritish, holding a pennisula 6200 yards by 1700 yards, while two British battalions fortified a liquorice factory at a village on the right bank of the Tigris, and the troops were worn out by long fighting and marching. The enemy immediately commenced the investment. By December 7th, a Turkish division had moved around Townshend’s flank four miles to the south. Two divisions took up a position west of Kut. General Townshend refused to surrender on the 9th. This was followed by a heavy bombardment. Attacks were pressed severely all day on the 10th and 11th. We lost 120 on the 10th and 202 on the 11th. The enemy is within 600 yards, strengthening his works with sandbags and timber. The casualties dropped to 62 on the 15th, the Turks becoming tired of their ineffectual attacks. They had lost at least a thousand men. General Townshend throughout made repeated gorties. A small force at the liquorice factory drove out the enemy from their trenches, but the increased boldness of the attacks, on the 24th, indicated that the enemy had been reinforced. The famous 52nd division arrived from the Caucasus. The fort was heavily shelled, and large breaches made in the wall. The garrison was driven out from the first line of defence, though the enemy’s reply wa s repulsed by a counter-attack. By another fierce attack at midnight the Turks carried the northern bastion, but were again driven out. Our casualties were 315. The enemy on the 29th asked for an armistice to bury their dead. Our casualties during the month were 1840 killed and wounded, while the enemy’s were 4000.

GARRISON ON'SHORT RATIONS. AEROPLANES RENDER ASSISTANCE. The failure of the Christmas Dayattack and the approach of the relieving force introduced a new phase of the siege, the enemy shelling the garrison nightly with big guns. General Townshend had to fight hunger. Hcrse-meat was at first plentiful. Lare quantities of grain were discovered on January 24th, but it was impossible to utilise it, owing to the difficulty of grinding it, but millstones were dropped from aeroplanes. Scurvy set in on February sth, though vegetables which General Townsh,end planted bore welcome fruit before the capitulation. The British soldiers on February sth were receiving a 12ounce loaf and a pound of meat and a few groceries daily. The Indians’ rations lasted on this scale until March sth, when the British loaf and the Indian flour were reduced to ten ounces. The ration was again reduced on the 31st. On April 6th the British and Indians were getting only four ounces of flour. During the last phase, salt, flour and tea were dropped by a.eroplanes, which previously dropped light articles, including rifle cleaners,

snare parts of wireless, fishing nets, cigarettes and tobacco. As it was imtic- supply. «luxWriss \to all, Qeneral Townshenfd refused further tnbacco, and personally shared every privation.

After April 20th, many Arabs, feeling the pinch of hunger, attempted to escape by swimming. Two got through the British at Sannaiyat by the help of the current, one, supported by skin bladders, making the journey in p ,- ght hours. Another, who was the survihvir of a party of IS. came aboard

He had a bullet in one leg. The 'rubs emphasised the cheerfulness of fi> e garrison, and said they looked thin but wen and strong. Admiration

/ ' f (’“T'bt’o! Town?hend amounted (o

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-nly member of the Kut garrison who ’’as yet arrived at Basra is “Spot,” General Townshend’s fox-terrier.

FURTHER GERMAN DEFEATS FRENCH MAKE PROGRESS. Received 9.35 p.m v May 15. PARIS, May 15. Semi-official— Attacks on Verdun continues without advantage or success. Friday marked another sanguinary defeat . On Saturday last the enemy was again everywhere thrown back. The French appreciably advanced south-east of Haucourt. German storms of artillery were unable to overcome the valour of the French infantry. ZEPPELIN SHOT DOWN. OFF NORSE COAST. HIT BY DESTROYERS. SINKS INTO HUNDRED FEET OF WATER. COPENHAGEN, May 15. Three British destroyers were observed off the west coast of Norway pursuing a Zeppelin. Suddenly the Zeppelin rapidly descended, apparently out of control, and was seen disi appearing in a fog above a depth of 100 ft of water. It is believed that she was shot down. A large French flotilla was observed off the island of Vaagc, in the Faroes. SURPRISE ATTACK. SOUTH OF ROYE. I- , - | REPELLED BY THE FRENCH. i PARIS, May 14. j A communique says: We repelled a j surprise attack in the trenches southj ward of Roye. The only event on the Verdun front was a violent bombardment in the Mort Homme region.” COLONIAL RALLY. IMPRESSES RUMANIAN PRESS. LONDON, May 14. The Rumanian Press pays a tribute to Great Britain’s military effort, and expresses admiration for the new Compulsion Act. “La Rumanie” says; “Mere significant still is the action of the Dominions, which appeared before the war only nominally attached to England. These men voluntarily i quitted an existence as comfortable i as any in the world. They belonged to | all classes, enjoyed the greatest liberj ties, and -were not imbued with miliI tarism.”