CASEMENT'S TRIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 June 1916, Page 7

CASEMENT'S TRIAL.

THE OPENING''PROCEEDINGS. ■ By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, June 26. At the opening of the trial for treason of Sir Roger Casement the Higli Court galleries were packed and a crowd outsid'- whs unable to obtain admission. Ciw-i--' w-s neatly attired and was less 11,., than in the Police Court. The ;.cr -(uii'iil, was in simple terms and said that he did solicit, incite, and endeavour to persuade the King's subjects, prisoners-of-war, to forsake their duty and allegiance to the King.

Before Casement was allowed to make his plea, Mr. Sullivan, for the defence, interposed and moved to quash the indictment 011 the ground that it was not aliened that the act was done in any territory whereover the King had dominion.

Casement then pleaded "not guilty," firmly. Prisoner challenged numerous jurymen, rejecting nineteen for the twelfth juror.

The . Attorney-General (Sir F. E. J"milh), in opening for the prosecution, said the prisoner was guilty of the most heinous crime and they irould have to consider whether it was aggravated by the position he formerly held. ..Prisoner was an able and cultivated man, wellversed politically. He was not a lifelong rebel against England like some others in history. His career had been marked by great distinction. He had assisted in the consolidation and development of our great Empire and had c-ventually retired on an honorablycarned pension. The Attorney-General d tailed the collection of the Irish prisoners at Limburg, evidently for a special purpose. Prisoner, this time apparently an honored German guest, was willing to play the part of seducing the captured Ir ?h soldiers from their allegiance. He suggested that this was the forerunner of a German invasion of Ireland. The vast majority treated Casement's rhetoric with contempt. The AttorneyGeneral then detailed the story of Casement's landing and arrest.

A witness .named Cronin testified to Casement's -activities. It was believed that'in the event of Germany winning the sea fight, Irishmen who joined Casement would be landed in Ire laud.. If Germany failed to win tie war they would reeeive free passages to America with £2O.

The evidence closely followed that of the Police Court trial. London, .Tune 27.

At the Casement trial. McCarthy, a farmer at Curraghane, who discovered the boat, explained why he was walking on the shore at 2 o'clock iu the morning. He had gone to the Holy Well to say a fev prayers on Good Friday moaning. Ho admitted that lie had never prayed there Mvore.

Sergeant Hearn, in reply to cuinsil, said Inat owing to the great impiyftanca of aims into the north of Ireland the people of the south armed themselves openly, partly against Ulster and partly against conscription. Sir F. E. Smith read documents appealing to prisoners in the Limberg camp to join the Irish Brigade. The case for the prosecution has closed.

Mr. Sullivan moved to quash the indictment, contending that a statute constituting an ofl'ence within the realm should be extended to an offence outside the realm. t The Chief Justice believed there was authority for the proposition, but a man outside the realm might be excused for what would bo ..reason if committed in fear of death. He thought the law had always drawn that distinction. It seemed strange that it should not oe treason against the King abroad when the same thing was treason at lio;me. Mr. Justice Horridge said it seemed ridiculous to suggest that there could not be treachery outside the realm.