Colonel Lynch.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 186, 5 April 1902, Page 1

Colonel Lynch.

“ Colonel ” Lynch. whom theelectors of Galway recently returned asthoie > Parliamentary representative ; •'/ibSur- > not yet put 'in an appearance at the Rouse of Commons. Although he was elected r n tKe» underetar fling that lie would claim the suit, his continued absence isj .hardly;' a matter for surprise.. Lynch knows well enough that he will be arrested as a traitor if ever he shows his face in England, and he evidently doe# not care to run the risk of a long term 'Of imprisonment. It is alleged that he fought on the Boer side during the - 1 present war in South Africa, corrihiftfiding a body of irregular troops. II evidencem proof of this can be adduced England is hardly the place where “Colonel” Lynch, .will care to be found just now. The British Government, it is-etated, have for some time past been quietly at work collecting evidence against the elect of Galway, with a view to securing his disqualification. A Parliamentary Commission Will sit to decide Whether Lynch is a traitor, and if they find that the evidence supports the charge, his seat will be declared vacant. The chief witness will be a telegraph operator named Bidney. an Irishman, who went to youth Africa some years ago, and who at the outbreak of hostilities, was forced by the Boers to assist them in the fie'd. Bidney, it is stated, met Arthur Lynch in the course. of the ■ war, and will be able to give useful evidence against the absentee. He has been brought to England by the Government especially for that purpose. Lynch meanwhile is making a tour of the Continental cities, with apparently no intention of trying to clear himself of the charge of treason. So long as he remains where he is, he is safe enough. A high military official, interviewed as to the possibility of the Government demandmg “ Colonel" Lynch’s extradition, said recently “ Of course there will be no attempt to bv : ig b’m back from the Continent. F’s offence, being political, is not one for which, he can be extradited. If he sets foot oh English soil again be will be promptly arrested, but otherwise his disqualification will be-the only action taken hy the He will doubtless be .cited' ? before the Commission—and if btf dole * appear, he is not the man I take him for.”