PADRE'S TRIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1919, Page 5

PADRE'S TRIAL.

I CHARGE OF DISLOYALTY.

THE ODONNELL flASii:,

'A' PRELIMINARY ENQUIRY. Pi Tslfgra ph.—Press Asm.—Copyright. Received Nov. 6, 5.5 p.m. r' London, Nov. SC. . tfhe Australian military authorities Ut« commenced a preliminary enquiry in the ODonnell case in order to decide whether there is a case for a courtmartial. The latter will be held forthwith if the authorities consider the evilence justifies them in proceeding; jtherwise OTJonnell will be immediately Released. The authorities would not countenance O'DonneU'a repatriation before the matter was fully investigated, on the grounds that a serious charge must be substantiated or dismissed. . The Australian Press Association unierstands that the prosecution's case is chiefly bated on the testimony of three witnesses, one of whom, an officer, apparently hag strong evidence.' The principal witness has already arrived and the others are travelling from Ireland.

ODonuell is to-day undergoing ail examination by his legal adviser, whose 1 report will be submitted to the authorities. It is likely that ODonnell will decline to speak at the preliminary enquiry, but will reserve his defence for the 'court-martial.

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUIRY.

Received Nov. 7, 12.20 a.m. London, rfov. 4.

H>B ODonnell inquiry was devoted to the examination of the principal wittiesß, Second-Lieutenant Chambers, of llie King's Liverpool Regiment, attached to a depot at Cork. ODonnell crossexamined' the witness for three hours In a lively maimer. Chambers literally repeated the conversation cabled on the 30th. inst., which be said he took down in shorthand during dbmer while CDonnell was talking. P'Donnell accused witness of lying. Thi statements.of two farther wit'nesses from Cork are expected tomorrow, when the preliminary investigation ends.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

[The message cabled on the 30th inst. kald that ODonnell was alleged to nave Mid: time is coming, and that tery soon, when Ireland will strike out for herself, and claim that glorions independence so long dear to every patriot's heart. I shall come forward to help the people here in their straggle against the tyrannical British Government- We Australians fought for independence and the right of self-govern-ment by small nations, which is being denied the finest and oldest little country in the world by a few servants of King George, who are filling their own pockets at the expense of the working people, and whpse hands are red with the blood of Irish patriots."]