WHY MR. BARTON, M.P., DECIDED TO LEAVE MOUNTJOY PRISON.

New Zealand Tablet, 19 June 1919, Page 31

WHY MR. BARTON, M.P., DECIDED TO LEAVE MOUNTJOY PRISON.

The escape of Mr. R. C. Barton, Sinn Fein' M.P. for West Wicklow, who was in Mountjoy Prison, awaiting trial on a charge in connection with a speech, has sorely puzzled the authorities. When his cell was opened a dummy f figure was found in his bed. The warders also found a note addressed to the • Governor

of the prison. " In this Mr. Barton said that "owing to the discomfort of the place" he t compelled to leave. The note concluded by asking' the Governor to keep his luggage until he sent for it. Examination showed that the bars of the cell window had been filed away. Mr. Barton was confined in the prison hospital, a portion of the. building which is 1 surrounded '" by a wall 25ft high. Inside the wall was a military guard of 25 men. There is no theory to the manner of Ins escape. It is believed that he did not pass through the gates; yet the prison authorities cannot understand how he got over the walls. It is ! understood that Mr. Barton is the first prisoner who ever escaped from Mount At the time of the 1916 rising, ; Mr. ■ Barton who is a large land and property owner in Co. \\icklow, was an officer of the Dublin Fusiliers: So impressed were the Sinn Feiners with his earnestness and ability, that he rapidly became a great favorite among them. He was selected to carry the Sinn Fein standard m West Wicklow at the recent general election, and he was returned by 6239 votes against 1370 lor his opponent, The O'Mahony, of Grange Con, Co. Wicklow. ■ ■ " • - . ... ,',•

IRELAND'S SOUL. The impropriety of pitchforking Mr. Macpherson into the office of Chief Secretary for Ireland is evident from the speech he delivered in the recent Irish debate (says the London Cathode Times). There may be administrative positions which this gentleman can fill efficiently, but he has neither the knowledge nor the sympathy requisite for. one occupying his present post He had the hardihood to ; say that Ireland was in danger of losing her soul. What does he know about Ireland's soul? In order to understand Ireland's soul something more is necessary than a carpet-bag and- an effort, to cram official figures and views into the mind. hat Mr. Macpherson means by the soul is only half the soul. Homer says that the slave has only half a soul, and Mr. Macpherson would like to see the Irish people releasing the 50,000 troops, who enable him and the other authorities in Dublin Castle to rule them against their will, by renouncing the right to freedom and hugging their chains. That is a method of rule of which no number of rifles and bayonets will make them approve. They reject it decisively, but it is a calumny to suggest that their record so far as crime is concerned compares unfavorably with that of Great Britain or other nations. Were it not for the savage coercion enforced because of political opinions and acts —coercion such as produces evil results in all times and at all places—lreland would be singularly free lroni crime.

BELFAST AND EDUCATION. If statements made by Sir Edward Carson in the Irish debate lately were correct, the condition of the Protestant schools in Belfast is extremely unsatisfactory. Thousands of children are unable to attend" them owing to want of accommodation. Many of the schools are insanitary. Some of them that have been condemned are still used, and money for the purpose of improving the old schools and building new ones is urgently needed. But how is it that the wealthy Protestants of the city have displayed such little interest m education that they allowed the school buildings to become dilapidated and failed to meet the requirements of the children? It appears that, as Mr. Devlin remarked, whilst they could raise money to ' organise a rebellion they could not contribute funds to provide school accommodation for. the Protestant children. The Catholics of Belfast, who belong mainly to the working classes, have paid for schools which are well, equipped, and there are no Catholic children there who 'cannot obtain schqgj i accommodation. Catholics have no "objection to any steps that will have the effect of benefiting the Protestant children educationally, but they will strenuously resist any proposal which would prove detrimental to their ; own religious rights and on no terms will they consent .to; have the education of their children placed- under ■the control of .a. body such *as the Belfast .= Corporation,-which is ruled ; by c bigots,' ? ; ;