A NEW PATRIOT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2109, 28 March 1914, Page 6

A NEW PATRIOT.

CONVERSION OF COLONEL -I LYNCH. ' A new supporter of the British Empire announced himself in the House of Commons recently in the person of Colonel Arthur Lynch, tho Nationalist M.P. for West Clare. Born in Australia in 1861, Mr. Lynch practised for a short time as an engineer in Melbourne before coming to Europe, where, ho lived in London and Paris as a journalist. On the outbreak of the Boer War he organised the 2nd Irish Brigade, which operated under General Botha, and fought in Natal against the British troops.- .After tho war he went to Paris, and while there in 1901 he was elected by a large majority as Nationalist M.P. for Galway. On coming to England to tako his seat, however, ne was arrested, convicted of high treason pn January 23, 1903, and sentenced to death. The sentence was commuted, to 'penal servitude for life. On January 24, 1904, he was released on license, and he received a free pardon on Juno 10, 1907. Ho is now a 'qualified doctor.

Recently in the House of Commons Lord Hugh Cecil referred to Mr. Lynoh's -career as showing t'hat h'e regarded England as a foreign country. Mr. Lynch mado a persoual explanation in tlie House. He admitted that when he fought with the Boors ho had not much respect for tlio British Constitution. He was born of Irish parents and fought for liberty. Ho was tried and condemned .to death, and that was a condition which produced reflection. (Laughter.) It was a moment (ho added) when a man sounded deeply his own motives, when he was in a sense faco to faco with his own soul. Never for a moment did he regret his actions or recant his opinions. Since that time, however, the very men with whom ho fought, including "my great leader General Botha," had becomo subjects of these Dominions. Also, since then England had done a great deal (for South Africa and for Ireland, and now if Britain was attacked lie, would fight for her. He «oulcl go further and say that if he believed what somo of the people of Ulster said they believed, ho would even now turn round and fight. The statement was received with goodhumoured clicors and laughter.