TRIAL OF CASEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16267, 28 June 1916, Page 8

TRIAL OF CASEMENT.

EVIDENCE FOR THE CROWN. pi,'... CONDUCT IN GERMANY. *T< •''*• -'•••■' $ ,- . LONDON. JUNE 26,. The galleries of the High Court were packed, and there was an im- ., mense crowd outside unable to gain admission, when the trial of Sir Roger Casement'begun to-day. The prisoner was neatly attired, and was less nervous than ho was in the Police Court. Tho indictment was in simple terms: " That he did solicit, invite and endeavour to persuade the King's subjects arid prisoners of war to forsake their duty and allegiance to the King." Before' Casement was allowed to make a plea, Mr. Sullivan, counsel for the defence, interposed, and moved to quash the indictment on tho ground that it did not allego an net done in any territory over which the King had dominion. The judges, having consulted, replied that the proper time to move to quash the indictment was after tho case for the prosecution had closed. Casement then firmly pleaded 'not guilty." The prisoner challenged numerous jurymen, rejecting 19 before he ac- * cepted the twelfth juror. The Attorney-General, Sir Frederick Smith, in his opening speech, aid prisoner was guilty of the most heinous crime, and tho jury would have to consider whether it was ag-! gravated by -the position he formerly held. Prisoner was an able and cultivated % mao, well versed politically. He was not a lifelong rebel against England, like soma others in history, indeed, his career was marked with great' distinction. Ho had assisted iri the consolidation and development of a great Empire, and even-

tually retired on an honourably .earned ( pension. The AttorneyGeneral went on to remark that the collection of Irish prisoners of war at Limburg, " i: in Germany*"was. evidently * for a special purpose. Prisoner at this timo was apparently an honoured German -guest, willing to play a part in seducing captured Trish soldiers from their allegiance. Sir Frederick suggested that this was meant -to be the forerunner of a German invasion of Ireland. The vast majority of the Irish treated Casement's rhetoric with contempt. Sir Frederick Smith detailed the binding and arrest of the:prisoner.

• • (Received June 27, 7 p.m.) "*7- ~y\M* *£■ LONDON. JUNE 2G. A witness named Cronin testified as to Casement's activities in Ger- • many* He-said ho believed that in : the event of Germany winning a sea fight the Irishmen who joined Casement would have been landed in Ireland.- * If Germany failed in the war they were to receive free passages to America and £20. - The evidence closely followed that " given in the Polipa Court. -^-^