SMART ESCAPE.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 August 1920, Page 5

SMART ESCAPE.

GENERAL BEATS SINN FEIN,

A THRILLING STOEY. By Telegraph.—Fress Assn.—Copyright. Received August 2, 5.5 p.m. London, August 1. The Daily Express* Galway correspondent has an exclusive story of General Lucas' captivity. General Lucas was kept In various dwellings and farmhouses in three counties, and he was well treated and comfortable, though guarded night and day. The restrictions on his liberty during the first few days in Kerry County were galling. There were three guards", with revolvers resting on their knees, at his bedside, while others, belonging to a rough peasant type, were outside the Windows. The former, with whom he Was in more immediate contact, were considerate and evidently solicitous for his comfort. They spoke only of their experiences after the rebellion, but General Lucas heard of the houses from which he was successively removed, and which were subsequently searched by the police and the military. His transfer always occurred at night time, and precautions were taken to prevent the General ascertaining the locality.

The conditions of captivity in Limeri ick County were immeasurably easier than Kerry. Whenever he entered a new house he found everything prepared for his reception. The day guard remained until relieved late at night, and after the guard was withdrawn from his bedroom he was undisturbed until ten in the morning. He was taken towards night for exercise and fishing excursions.

The window in his last abode, northeastward of New Pallas, was guarded outside by spiked iron bars, and during a torrential downpour he forced a spike aside and squeezed through. He escaped unobserved. Then the General traversed fields, clambered for three hours over walls, through hedges, scrub, and wire fences, until the first streaks of dawn suggested that he had taken the right direction. He, told a peasant whom he met that he wished to return to the police barracks, and he asked the way. The peasant cheerfully gave the information, and the General soon reached New Pallas, cold, wet and bleeding. It is reported he has left Queenstown for London.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.