SINN FEIN REVOLT.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLII, Issue 91, 23 May 1916, Page 3

SINN FEIN REVOLT.

| HIGH TREASON. SIR ROGUR CASEMENT CHARGED. | A COMRADE IN THE DOCK. LONDON, May 17. At the opening of the trial of Sir Roger Casement on a charge of high treason, Daniel Julian Bailey, who was arrested with him, made a statement in which he said he was a reservist in the Irish Rifles. He worked as a goods porter at J'addington Station, London, but was recalled to the colours at the outbreak of the war. He sailed to France with the original Expeditionary Force, j and was taken prisoner by the German# .early in September, 1914. He was an Irish prisoner at Limburg camp, jie accepted Casement's offer to assist the Germans. He was placed in the dock I with Casement and charged with high treason on divers occasions from November, I ill 4. Casement stepped briskly into the dock tall and slim, with his grizzled hair carefully brushed. He appeared to be careless of his situation, but hit twitching fingers and nervous movements betrayed his anxiety. Sir F. Smith, K.C., for the prosecution, outlined Casemeut's history. He said the evidence would show that in January, llll.j, he repeatedly addressed the Irish prisoners at Limburg camp, deI scribing himself as organiser of an Iris'li brigade that was beiug formed, lie invited the prisoners to join it, and emphasised that everything could be gained tor Ireland by Germany winning th» uar and that the Irish sol- : diers had the best opportunity they ever 1 had for striking a blow for their land, j and Ift promised that all who joined the | Irish Brigade would go to Berlin as the jGermau Government's guests. In the event 01 Germany winning it s( i a | ja ttb>, |-he (■Casement) would land with the brigade in Ireland, but in the event of Germany losing it every man would receive from £11) to £2O and a free pass to America. Sir F. E. Smith said he was proud to say that the majority treated Casement with contempt. On One occasion he was hissed and booed out of the camp. The Minister Fusiliers particularly reseuted his proposals, and Casement was only saved from violence bv the intervention of his escort of Prussian Guards. The Attorney-general said that the charge was that Casement and Bailev committed high treason on divers occasions between November 1, l<>]4, and April 21, Hi Hi. Bailey was promoted to be a sergeant in the German Irish Brigade, which was intended to raise an insurrection in Ireland. Bailey had made a statement to the police on April 21, asserting that altogether f>li Irish prisoners accompanied Casement to Berlin, where they went to the War Office! Later they proceeded to Wilhelmshaven. : Casement, himself (Bailey) and a third Irishman named Monteith boarded Submarine (' 20, and sailed for Ireland. They were forced to return to Heligoland by an accident, and eventually reached Tralee. The three of them, in a collapsible boat, landed one morning with ammunition, which they buried in the sand. In his statement to the police Bailey added that he had overheard that the submarine was piloting a Wilson liner to Tralee, carrying 200(1 rifles, several million rounds of ammunition, 10 machine guns and bombs. A labourer named Hussey saw a light Hash seaward, and a collapsible boat shortly after came towards the s'hore. Casement was found hiding in a. ruined fort, lie gave his name as Richard Morton, but later in London he confessed his identity. Divers subsequently discovered a vessel sunk off the Irish coast, named the Aude, which carried Russian rilles of the 1 <)<).") pattern. Sir F. I-:. Smith stated that the police found buried in the sand at Tralee Mausers, ammunition, flash-lamps, maps, and a railway ticket from Berlin to Wilhelmshaven, dated April 12, thus confirming Bailey's statement; also a flag, whii;h the Attorney-general unfolded in court. It showed a yellow castle on a green background. Casement while en route to Ardfort Barracks dropped a paper containing a code relating largely to the despatch of rifles and ammunition by ship. The Attorney-general's opening statement was not dramatic. Sir F. E. Smith spoke tjuietly and confidently of most adventurous events, John Robertson, a returned. Royal Army Medical Corps prisoner, gave evidence that Casement addressed the Irish prisoners at Limburg camp. One prisoner attacked Casement, but about 50 joined the Irish -'Brigade. Robertson added that the Irish prisoners in Limburg were better treated that) the English. Pamphlets and manifestoes were circulated recounting Ireland's grievances. One manifesto said: "Yoil fought for Belgium, though it was no more to you than Fiji." They were asked to sign a form declaring their" willingness to fight for Ireland 011 the side of Germany. Other Irish soldiers gave evidence that after the Munsters had hooted and assaulted Casement at Limburg camp several were punished and their rations ■were curtailed, while Father. Nicholson, an American priest who accompanied the brigade as sergeant-major of Dragoons, was sent to a punishment camp for calling Casement a traitor. BAILEY'S STATEMENT VOLUNTARY. ACCfSKD COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. LONDON, May 1!). At the trial of Casement and Bailey for high treason the evidence gives indications that certain maps emanated from the German War Office. Bailey's military record was good, and his conduct in the army was good. Sergeant Resbvick, of the Trish Constabulary, gave evidence that Bailey asked that a superior officer be called aa $OOll as possible, as he had important in-

I formation concerning a ship about to land arms in Ireland. Bailey offered to give this information if he were released. Inspector Britten, who was the superior officer summoned, gave evidence that Bailey had made his statement without a promise that he would lie released, though witness promised to bring the matter under the notice of the authorities. Bailey told the following story: A Wilson liner, captured at the commencement of thg war, would arrive at Fenit (Tralee Bay) 011 Easter Monday or earlier, with arms, etc., as the Attor-ney-general had already narrated.'There would be a simultaneous rising in Ireland ami an attack on Dublin Castle. Bailey added that he landed with Casement and Monteith from a submarine. Mr Arfcemus Jones contended that Bailey's statement was secured by the promise that he would not be punished. Sir F. E. Smith contended that he was only promised protection. Mr Dickinson (the magistrate) admitted the statement as voluutarv. Asked if he had anything to say, Sir Roger Casement answered huskilv: "No." The prisoners were then committed for trial. The Crown intends to hold the trial at | the earliest date, probably early in June. j SUPPRESSING THE RIOTS. TJ J K TROOPS' DIFFICULT I I'X LONDON, .May 111. Many accusations of brutality against the troops are current in Dublin, including the accusation that soldiers killed unarmed, unoffending citizens. General Maxwell, when interviewed, said there was most desperate fighting in North King Street. The rebels fired from the roofs and upper windows, moving from house to house, sometimes escaping from back doors, and then firing 11 poa the troops from behind. In each house we had searched we found rebels, always hiding behind women, rhev threw away their rifles and herded like timid citizens, with their wives, in cellars. It was difficult to control troops under such circumstances. When tliev saw their comrades killed by treacherous assailants not wearing uniform some might "see red." lie ordered the strictest impiirv, and would parade the battalions concerned to see if the accusers ' could identify the officers or men who . were responsible. Some of the allegations were false, and were made in order • to establish a claim upon the Govern- I meut for compensation. I