EXECUTION OF CASEMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, 5 August 1916, Page 1

EXECUTION OF CASEMENT

AN" OFFICIAL STATEMENT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON.. Aug. 4. The Press Bureau has issued the following statement : The Government, before deciding not to interfere with 'Casement's sentence, carefully and repeatedly considerc-d al! the circumstances. Hie was convicted of treachery of the worst kind to the Empire and was the willing agent of Germain - in connection -with the Irish rebellion, which resulted' in much loss of life to soldiers and civilians. Casement invoked and organised (k»rman assistance to the insurrection. Although for years a British official. Casement entered into au exlipoit agreement with Germany that his Irish Brigade should be employed in Egypt against the 'British. Those prisoners resisting 'Casement's solicitations to disloyalty were subjected to cxceptionally cruel ' treatment by the Germans, and some since exchanged as- invalids have died' in Britain, regarding Casement as their murderer. The suggestion that Casement left Germany for the- purpose of suppressing the Irish rising was not raised at the trial, and it was conclusively disproved' not only by the facts disclosed at- the trial, but 'by further evidence which has since become available*, j Another suggestion that Casement >ras insane, was equally without foundation. His counsel did not- raise the plea, and Casement's demeanour since his arrest, throughout the trial, andi since gave -no ground for any such defence.' .Indeed,, it was sufficient t-o disprove it. AN AMERICAN COMMENT. . NEW. YORK, Aug. 3. The New York Evening Post states that Casement was undoubtedly guilty:, and the execution was lawful. AMERICAN COMMENT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (R.ec. Aug. 5. 9.5 a.m. ) f NEW YORK, Aug, 4. The New York World isays now that the Dublin rebels have been shot and Casement hanged, the conciliation of Ireland is further away than ever. The Tribune says- that- Casement's guilt was such that no Government and no people could pardon him, without destroying the whole fabric of national duty. There never was the slightest excuse for any attempt of American in. terferen.ee. Casement deserved- death.