IRELAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 May 1916, Page 5

IRELAND.

HIGH TREASON. CASEMENT'S TIUAL. THE CASE FOR THE CROWN. London, May 15. Tlie trial of Sir Roger Casement for high treason lias begun. Ladies, equipped with cushions and literature, arrived at Bow Street at one o'clock in the morning. The police supplied them with coffee. Others asse'mbled before five o'clock.

Casement arrived in a taxi, with an armed guard, practically secretly. Hundreds formed a queue before the Court opened. Casement stepped briskly into the dock, tall and slim, his grizzled hair being carefully brushed. He appeared careless, but his twitching fingers and his nervous movements betrayed nis anxiety. Bailey is of a different type, and is apparently an ignorant countryman. He was unshaven, and sat stiffly upright and motionless. Casement took* voluminous notes, with no sign of anxiety as the afternoon advanced. The Attorney-General's opening statement was undramatic, and he spoke quietly and confidently of most adventurous events.

Sir F. E. Smith, Attorney-General opening the case fcr the Crown, outlined Casement's history. Evidence would show that in January, 1915, he repeatedly addressed the Irish Brigade and invited prisoners to join. He emphasised that everything could be gained for Ireland by Germany winning, and that Irish soldiers had the best opportunity they ever had of striking a blow for their land. All who joined would go to Berlin as the Government's guests, and, in the event of Germany winning a sea battle, Casement would land with the brigade in Ireland. In the event of Germany losing, every man would receive from £lO to £2O and a free passage to America. Mr. Smitli -said he was proud to say the majority treated Casement with contempt, and on one occasion he was nissed and boohooed out of the camp. The Munster Fusiliers particularly resented his propsals, 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, Bailey. Mr. Smith said that prisoners refusing the proposal were punished by a reduction of their rations. A few who renounced tlieir allegiance received certain privileges and a green uniform decorated with a harp. Bailey was one of these. The Attorney-General said the cliarge was that Casement and Bailey committed high treason on divers occasions between November 1, 1914. and April 21, Ifllfi. Bailey was promoted to sergeant in the German Irish Brigade, which was intended to raise an insurrection in Ireland.

A RENEGADE SOLDIER, THE CHARGE AGAINST BAILEY. London, May 15, Daniel Julian Bailey, the soldier who was arrested with Casement, was an Irish prisoner at Limburg and accepted Casement's offer to assist the Germans. In the dock with Casement he was charged with high treason on divers occasions from November, 1914. Bailey made a statement to the police on April 21, asserting that altogether 56' Irish accompanied Casement to Berlin, where they went to the War Office, and later proceeded to Wilhelmshaven. Casement, himself, and a third Irishman, Mcnteith, 'boarded U2O and sailed for Ireland, but were forced to return to Heligoland by in accident. Eventually they reached the Irish coast at Tralee. Three collapsible boats landed one morning with ammunition, which they buried in the sand. Bailey said he was a reservist in the Irish Rifles. He was a goods porter 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 wa3 taken prisoner early in September, 1914. ! Bailey added that he overheard that a submarine was piloting a Wilson liner to Tralee, carrjxjig two thousand rifles, several million rounds of ammunition, ten machine-guns, and bombs. A laborer, named Hussey, saw a light flash seaward, and a collapsible shortly csme towards the Shore. Casement was found hiding in a ruined fort. He gave the name of Richmond Morton, but later, in London, confessed his identity. Divers had since discovered that the vessel sunk on the Irish coast was named the Aude. She carried Russian rifles of the 1905 pattern. When the men were formally charged, Casement declared that Bailey was innocent, and that he wished to provide for Bailey's defence. The Aude at first refused to accompany the Blue Bell, which later fired a sliot across her bows. The Aude followed till nearing Queenstown, wben it stopped, and the Blue Bell saw white smoke qssniny from its side and two German ensigns were broken. The crew

took to the boats and hoisted a white (lag. The Aude sank quickly. The police found in the sand at Tralee Mauser rifles, ammunition, bash lamps, maps, and a railway ticket from Berlin to Wilhelmshaven, dated April 12, confirming Bailey's statement, also a flag, which the Attorney-General unfolded in Court, a yellow castle on a green background. EVIDENCE OF IRISH SOLDIERS. Casement, while en route to Ardfort barracks, dropped a paper containing a code relating largely to the dispatch of rifles, ammunition and ships. John Robertson, a returned army medical prisoner, gave evidence that Casement addressed Irish prisoners at Limburg. One of the prisoners attacked Casement. About 50 joined the Irish Brigade. Robertson added that the Irish prisoners were better treated than the 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 were asked to sign a form declaring their willingness 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 the treatment improved, but prisoners yA\o did not join the Irish Brigade were not allowed bread.

William Egan deprived that there were 3500 Irish at Limburg. Other Irish soldiers gave evidence that after the Munsters had hooted and assaulted Casement, several were punished and had their rations curtailed.

Father Nicholson, an American priest, who accompanied the Brigade, and a sergeant-major of Dragoons, were ■sent to the punishment camp far calling Casement ft traitor.

DISPOSITION OF (HE REBELS,

ACCUSATION AGAINST UNIONIST PRESS. Received May 16, 5.5 p.m. London, May 1". In the House of Commons, Mr. Tcnnant, in reply to a question, said he hoped to make an early statement as to the disposition of the rebels. The Government had every desire to deal with them as leniently as possible. The Belfast Newsletter, the chief organ of the Ulster Unionists, declares that a section of the English Unionist press is guilty of treason to the Unionists by demanding the surrender of Ulster Unionists.

THE ONLY WAY,

A RESOLUTE ADMINISTRATION. London, May lfi. The Daily News states it lias been informed that communications between the Nationalists and Ulstermen are at a deadlock. The Nationalists are ready to give up their arms, but the Ulstermen have raised difficulties, as if they relinquish their arms they 'Want to'keep them 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 want and give it them. It says that the only way to restore order in a lawless country inflamed by German conspirators, fed by German money, and spoiled by wanton indulgence, is to place an honest, capable and resolute administration in charge.

HOME RULE COMING.

MR. ASQUITH'S VISIT SIR E. CARSON'S IGNORANCE. Received May 16, 10.10 p.m. London, May 16. Mr. Asquith had a private three hours' conference with a dozen of the leading Belfast commercial men, and had a frank and free discussion on the present situation. It is believed that the conference particularly concerned the general disarmament of Irish volunteers and the position of the Ulster volunteer force. During his Irish trip Mr. Asquith has had conferences with administrators only, politicians remaining in London. Rumors of probable changes, including the early introduction' of Home Rule, continue in the parliamentary lobbies and the newspapers. Everyone recognises that the old. system of Government, with its numerous detached boards and informal executive, has broken down, and it is improbable that attempts to patch it up will be successful.

Sir Edward Carson states that he knows nothing of the negotiations to establish Home Rule or towardu disarmament. Local leaders in Ulster state that the recent; happenings make it more necessary than over that they should retain arms in Ulster. Members of the House of Commons insist that the revolt fully justifies the Unionist misgivings regarding Home Rule.

Most of the Redmonditea do not favor a temporary Executive Council, which they believe will block the way to Home Rule. They say that the tension in Ireland is nothing compared to the chagrin of the Irish elements in America, and untold result unless Home Rule is established promptly. AN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. DAILY MAIL'S PROGNOSTICATIONS.! Received May 16, 10.35 p.m, London, May Ifi. The Daily Mail asserts that an Executive Council will be established in Dublin, which will be responsible for Irish affairs, though under the British Parliament. Ulster and Nationalist Volunteers will both receive official recognition, and be included in the forces of the Crown instead of being disarmed. ARCHBISHOP CARR. ON THE IRISH REBELLION. Melbourne, May 16. Addressing the Hibernians' Triennial Conference. Archbishop Carr said the rebellion had seriously thrown back Ireland's cause. While deploring the rebellion he deprecated the continued execution of rebels. Advocates of the utmost severity of the law thought by fear to prevent further uprisings. They must have misread Ireland's history.