DISLOYAL WORDS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3187, 11 September 1917, Page 7

DISLOYAL WORDS

SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT, "Yes, I am a German sympathiser;'' .was one of the disloyal, utterances made use of by John De Lacy Crowley, who appeared in the Magistrate's Court yesterday before Mr. S. D..M'Cafthy, S.M., oharged With making utterances with intent to excite disloyalty in respect of the present war, tho wo;tds used being "Germany is going to.will, and I'd rather see Germany win any djay. They shot Casement, and I am tho same as him. ihey can put me on S</mies Island if they like." . .

The information was laid under Clause N of Section. 4 of, the Regulations made under the War Regulations Act, 1911. Inspector Marsack said that on Satinday night last accused, who was drunk, while at tho corner of Willis Street and Boulcott Street, made use of , the_ disloyal uttcrancßSj Thure was' a large crowd present, and most of those in the ticinity must have heard what was said. ■ '

Sergeant-Major, M. ! G. C. Oman, a returned soldier, stated that ho was in company with a, friend in the neighbourhood oi' the Albert Hotel and saw .accused, who was under the influence of liquor. He hoard disloyal utterances being made, and' Oil going over to find out who was responsible for tho words discovered it was the accused, who was using them. He heard Crowley say, "If Germany wins we Will 131: a free nation." lie im-ther heard accused say that ho had been in v the Imperial Army and that ho would not servo with the British in this war for a food deal. Witness then said to him, "Are you a German sympathiser?" to which accused replied, "I am a German sympathiser;." Witness then said, ."You are a d disgrace to be walking about, the town. Are you an J.W.W. agitator?" and aejused replied, "Yes, and I am proud of it." After some further remarks a policeman 'appeared on the sceno and arrested tho acoused. There were about. ISA to '-(10 people in flho street, and as accused made his remarks in a leud voice, everyone could hear what ho said.

Constable William Brown slated that Be ■ was with Constable Scarry in tho neighbourhood, saw accused, who wns drunk, and heard him use tho words mentioned in the charge-sheet Constable Scurry gave corroborative evidence. The accused offered n) defence, but called his employer, William H. Potts, who stilted that Crowley had been in his eniplojv for twelve months, and he had never known him to be anything but a truo Britisner, and honest and industrious. ' , To Inspector Mnrenck: Ho know Crowley was inclined lo take liquor, but was not awaro that he had been convicted fourteen times for drunkenness. He Old not know that accused had been Ikico convi.cted of theft during tho past twelvo monljhe. . Tho Magistrate recorded a conviction end sentenced accused to six months imprisonment. For drunkenness ■ho vas convScted and ordered to come up for sentbneo when oalled upon.