IRISH QUESTION

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 35, 10 August 1921, Page 5

IRISH QUESTION

RELEASE OF, MACKEOWN

THE VIEW HE TAKES OF IT. (WITH PIUIS ASSOCIATION.—CWIBMII.) (ACSTIIAMAN . NCW MAIANB CAILI ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, Bth August. John Mackeown, referring to his release from prison, saye : "It is now clear that my release by the English Government is an admission that I am not only a representative of the people, but an ! officer, of the Irish Republican Army. My release is the acceptance of Jthe view that my act v^as an act of war; therefore it is clear that. my release is the final abandonment of any claim by the enemy that the Irish war k murder. It is clear that all my yfellow-soldifrs in gaols and camps must be similarly recognised." It is understood that tile decision to detain Mackeown was taken pending re-, ference to hie case to higher authorities, legal technicalities requiring, consideration in deciding »the, release. Mackeown believed that the authorities were influenced by his chivalrous conduct towards two cadets who fell wounded into his hands when in, charge of an ambush. Mr. de Valera to-night, before he knew the above decision; said : "If his detention is persisted in, I cannot accept lb« responsibility for proceeding with further negotiations. Mackeown typifies everything for which he fought. The ■whole of the Irkh peojple are proud of him, and regard* him as a soldierpatriot."