EX-CONSUL'S PLOT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 270, 24 April 1915, Page 6

EX-CONSUL'S PLOT.

INTRIGUE IN AMERICA. UNFORESEEN DIFFICULTIES. The British ex-Consul, Sir Roger Ca.>: mont, who went to Germany to convinet the Kaiser he could stir up a in Ireland, is none too happy among h'.t new friends, according to a German despatch to the New York World. Sir Roger Casement, according to the World's .correspondent, received about £2501) as a retainer from the Kaiser, and was to receive much more if his plans were successful. "In effect," iwi-ya the correspondent, "Sir Roger Casement's proposition was that lie should go to America, form a secret organisation there, and senu emissaries—will equipped with Gorman gold—to Irelar 1 to stir up the rebellious feelings which the Wilhelmstrasso officials' had been led to believe are dormant, among J ,!>c Irish Nationalists.

"Unfortunately for Sir Roger C.isement, however, he is unable to discover a 'safe way of getting from Germany fo America without incurring the risk of capture by British warships. His desire to avoid falling into the hands of Great Britain is accentuated by numerous highly-colored stories circulated about the Fatherland to the effect that the British Government has sot a price upon his head—the sums quoted ran,'", from £1 to £looo—and has instructed its naval officers to take him oil' any vessel, neutral or otherwise, aboard whieli he essays to cross the Atlantic. Apparently Sir Roger Casement credits some of these rumors, for he is living in considerable seclusion, and as yet has made no attempt to leave .German soil.

•'Meanwhile, however, the German Government is beginning to wonder when he will fulfil his promises and to look askance at his continued residence in Germany, where lie can do nothing to earn his £2500. His friends say it is understood he will depart soon in strict incognito, and will make a dash for America. Originally he meant to journey via the Scandinavian countries, but evidently he has definitely abandoned that intention as too dangerous."