GUILT REVISED.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1920, Page 5

GUILT REVISED.

RELEASE OF PRISONERS. | SYDNEY I.W.W. CASE. By Telegraph,—Press Assn.—Cbpyright. Beceived August 1, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, August 1. Mr. Justice Ewing's report on the I.W.W. cases is very lengthy. It carefully reviews the general evidence and traverses the case of each man., In several cases Justice Ewing admits the doubts are not fully cleared up, but in all such cases he followed the usual British practice of giving the prisoners the full benefit of the doubt. He repeatedly denounces the 1 evidence of Scully and the Goldsteins, who, the Judge declares, were prepared to swear anything inside and outside Court to save themselves from being implicated Over and above this they expected to receive substantial rewards as informers. The report has caused surprise and much speculation as to future developments. In some quarters it is regarded as a severe knock to tie jury system. In labor circles, Justice Ewing's findings were received with much satisfaction, combined with a strong demand for immediate release. Arrangements are being made for big demonstrations •to celebrate the release. A rumor is current that there is a possibility of the Federal Government stepping in and deporting ten of the twelve men who are not Australianborn, on the ground that they were convicted of sedition during a critical period of the war. This action could be taken either under the War Precautions -Act, or the Undesirable Aliens Act. Such intervention, however, is sure to meet strong opposition in Labor circles. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, JUSTICE EWING'S REPORT, Sydney, July 31. Mr, Justice Ewing's report recommends the release of John Hamilton, who was sentenced to fifteen years' imprisonment, Bernard Beeant (ten years), Thomas Moore (ten years), Donald McPhersoh (ten years), William Teen (fifteen years), and Morris .Joseph Fagin (fifteen years), all of whom, he considered to have been wrongly' convicted; and of Thomas Glynn (ten years), Peter Larkin (ten years), William Beatty (fifteen years), all of whom he considered to have expiated their offences. The sentence of Charles Reeve (ten years) was deemed to be not excessive, whilst John Benjamin King's term was deemed to be greatly in excess of the offence. King had been sentenced to five years, cumulative upon two years, arising out of a bank forgery case, and would be released in August, 1021. Mr. Justice Ewing )tdds: "The evidence of Scully) Davis, and Louis Goldsteins was the evidence of liars and perjurers. If the Judge at the first trial knew their real character, the jury would never have accepted their statements unless conclusively corroborated." Cabinet will consider the report on Tuesday, and it is expected that immediate effect will be givep to (lie recom-mendations.—Aus.-N.Z. Ca!ble Assn.