SENTENCE OF DEATH.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7632, 26 January 1903, Page 2

SENTENCE OF DEATH.

Traitor Lynch. Gallery Speech by Justice Willis. Shed His Own Countrymen's Blood. A Farce of Imprisonment.

By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. London, Friday. Colonel Lynch, who was elected member for Galw.iy, was found guilty of the charge of tr.a.on in connection with his services in the Boer war, and , was sentenced to death. Received January 25, 4 58 p.m. Lo.ndon, Saturday, Mr Justice Wiliis, as senior judge of the court, delivered an impressive speech in sentencing Colonel Lynch to death. Ho emphasised the gravity of the crimo, and said the prisoner wai a citizen of no mean city, inasmuch as he was born in Australia, which had shown the utmost devotion to the Motherland. The prisoner had sought, for the price of gold, in hia country's darkest hour by joining ihe ranks ot her foes, to dethrone Britain and make her namefa by-word and a reproach. He had shed, or done his best to shed, bis own countrymen's blood. How many wives had been widowed and children orphaned through the contingent the prisoner had commanded Heaven only knew. Misjudging his country he had lifted a paricidal hand, thinking doubtless that she would shrink from the gigantic struggle, or at the worst that peaoe would bring an amnesty covering bis treason ; and this against Victoria, our best beloved, the most deeply honoured of all the long line of British eovereigna, and against his country, the home ol freedom aod progress. It is expected that tbe King will release Lynch after a short imprisonment.