FATHER AND SON

Northern Advocate, 2 March 1926, Page 4

FATHER AND SON

Tribitsch Lincoln, spy and ex-member of the British House of Commons, one of the undesirable aliens to whom' Britain so readily gives shelter, is a rascal. At least, he was a rascal, for we presume that now he has become a Buddhist novitiate he has seen the errors of his way, and intends to-.purge his soul in the philosophic waters of Buddhism. Lincoln’s son is apparently also a rascal, for he lies condemned-(to execution at the hands of the common hangman. In all probability he has by this time expiated his crime, which, we may remark in passing, seems to lack tho heinousaiess which has allowed other murderers to escape tfie gallows j But, be the rascality what it may, most .people, will experience _a thrill of interest in the father and son, particularly the father, who, as our cables tell us, is racing against the clock in an endeavour to speak the wo :ds which only -a father can speak effectively to a dying son. It is indeed a dramatic story with a sentimental background. Lincoln junior was found guilty of what is known as the Trowbridge murder. This murder seems to have arisen out of what was apparently a drunken frolic on the part of two young soldiers. Lincoln’s conviction was based on a letter which he wrote to his sweetheart while he was in prison awaiting trial. In that letter he admitted firing a shot, though without intention to kill. His companion in the escapade was acquitted. Lincoln’s conviction was the subject of an unsuccessful appeal. Now we have the story of Lincoln senior racing to England to see his son. Whether he will succeed depends on minufes. Lincoln senior deserves little sympathy from British people. He is one of the most extraordinary characters who have played a part in Britain’s public life. | By one of the strange coincidences which can only happen in easy-going, generous-thinking Britain, this man, who was afterwards proved to he a notorious spy, was elected to the House, of Commons. In the course of time, his real character was revealed, and he fled the country. After playing' a number of roles, he has now. entered: the Buddhist ’priesthood in Ceylota.’ But, with all,his nefarious characteristics, he. evidently loves his unfortunate son; whose cry from the condemned cell reached him. The fact that England was a forbidden land did not dismay him; By what must have been quick travelling, he reached Marseilles on Sunday and expected to reach Paris next day and possibly London late in the afternoon. The execution was fixed for Tuesday morning,,.. Will the father see his son? The circumstances are unique. The father, on arrival in England, null be met by Scotland Yard detectives, under whose surveillance he will remain. After he has.seen his son —which it is hoped he will .succeed in doing— he will be taken to an unnamed port and placed on. a steamer. Britain will have no more of him. That he has been allowed to break the terms of his exile is one more illustration of the bigness of Britain’s heart. J