DEATH SENTENCE

Taranaki Daily News, 1 July 1916, Page 5

DEATH SENTENCE

» CASEMENT FOUND GUILTY. BAILEY DISCHARGED. By Cal)h.—Press Association—Copyright •London, June 20. Mr. Sullivan being ill, Mr. Artemus Jones excluded (lie- speech foi the defence of Casement. He endeavored to explain the change in Sir Roger Casement's opinions. He quoted evidence to show that arms were imported as far south as Tralee .before the war for .protection against the Ulster forces and conscription This arminj continucr". after the. outbreak of war. The Lord Chief Justice interposed that he would direct the jury that the words "giving aid and comfort to the King's enemies" meant assisting our enemies in a war with us by any act tending to strengthen the enemy or weaken the country.

The Attorney-General, in big reply, contended that it .was irrelevant to refer to controversies not connected with the present facts. Why did Casement go to ((i-rinany moving about there freely? There was no answer consistent with his innocence. He concluded by dwelling on the damning effect of Casement's secret code.

Mr. Jones said the argument for Casement was that he intended the Irish Brigade to protect Irishmen against the menaces or tyranny of armed forces uncontrolled by the executive fiovernment.

Tlk> Chief Justice, summing up, said tliat if the prisoner knew that what he did would help the ?nemy, then, «1Uimijjli hn might have another ulterior motive, he was guilty. Tf he knew the landing of men in Ireland might produce civil war and embarrass the authorities he was assisting; the enemy. Much has been said about Irish politics. He always felt anviety lest the introduction of political passions should jeopardise justice when passions were aroused. The jury must deal dispassionately, and not pay any more attention than was necessary to what had been said about Ireland's condition. However deep the gulf might be between the North and South of Ireland, when the war came there was a union of forces to resist the attempt upon the Empire. We did not know how prisonei during this gigantic and terrible, war came to be in Germany or for what purpose he was allowed to remain there.

Casement was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death. •

After the verdict. Sir Roger Casement read a lengthy statement, the burden of which was that his offence was that he had put Ireland first, that ho should be i'Med by a jury of his peers, and that the last place he really desired to sec was England ' He spoke emotionally and (irmly. When Casement had finished, Bailey was placed in the dock and pleaded -not guilty of treason The Chief Justice directed ihe jury to return a verdict of not guilty, and he was discharged.

DRAMATIC MOMENTS, CASEMENT ADDRESSES THE COURT "I AM PROUD TO STAND HERE TO-DAY!" Received June 30, 8.30 p.m. London, June 30. The jury were out for fifty minutes. When their verdict was announced, Casement smiled half sadly. Holding the dock rails, he read a statement, first brokenly and then firmly, that he said he had' written three weeks ago in prison. He declared: "I am being tried by the peers of the dead past. So antiquated is the law that must be used to slay an Irishman that they brought an Act of 1351 to convict.ine!" The prisoner reeled and looked as if he would collapse. While he called for water he proceeded: "Individual assassination is reserved only for one class of men, namely, Irishmen. This court and this jury and the public opinion of this country cannot but be prejudiced against me. I accept no verdict save at the hands of my countrymen!" He then produced another paper, explaining that he wrote it last night. "I went a way that I knew must lead me to the clock. lam proud to stand here to-day." He thanked the Chief Justice and shook hands with Gavin and Duffy. The three judges donned the Dlack caps aiir' prisoner nervously smiled as he was 'sentenced to death. The Lord Chief Justice (Lord Reading) pronounced the sentence. Justice Sir H. E. Avory adding "Amen." . , Casement smiled to a friend in court, and left the dock. The Daily News is doubtful whether it is true wisdom to give Casement the crown of martyrdom. If the otter rebels deserved death he doubly deserved it, but the 'authorities may well ask whether it is prudent to add another element to the danger of a perilous situation. ACT OF A LUNATIC London, Juno 29. Captain Colthurst, who shot the Irish journalist Skeffington and other Vrisoners during the trouble,in Dublin, has been commuted to a criminal lunatic asvlum. (The three men were in the guardroom, where thev had been all night, and in the morning Coulthurst ordered them out and had them shot.)