HARRY THAW

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 29

HARRY THAW

OPPOSITION TO EXTRADITION. OTTAWA, August 19. The Montreal police report the arrest of Harry Thaw while hiding in the little village of Coaticook, in Quebec province. The Canadian immigration authorities have ordered Thaw’s deportation. , August 20.

The court at Sherbrooke, Quebec, granted a writ of habeas corpus in the Thaw case at the instance of Thaw’s lawyer. Newspaper men are crowding the town, with the object of securing an interview with Thaw. They are endeavouring to induce him to describe how he escaped, but Thaw refuses publicity. Thaw was captured ah hour after he had crossed the frontier. He admitted his identity, and declared he could not be extradited, as he had committed no crime. His arrest was due to a sheriff, who recognised him on a Maine railway station, and followed him to Canada. August 22. The Immigration Department has decided that if Thaw is released as the result of the Habeas .Corpus proceedings it will reject him as an undesirable immigrant and return him across the border. Mr Sulzcr, who is still acting as Governor of New York State, has telegraphed to Ottawa asking the authorities to return Thaw. / Mr Glynn has made the same request. MONTREAL, August 20. Thaw has decided to fight his deportation or extradition, on the ground that he has a through ticket to Europe. August 22. It is understood that the immigration authorities have agreed to allow Thaw to choose his own route when he is rejected as an undesirable.

Thaw’s friends have planned to have a yacht in readiness on the St. Lawrence to enable him to escape. QUEBEC, August 20.

Thaw, who is charged with unlawfully escaping from an asylum, remains in custody. Failing this charge he will be prosecuted on a charge of bribing the attendants.

There are indications of a protracted legal battle, as Thaw's family has engaged the most brilliant lawyer in Quebec.

Thaw’s mother broke down when the news of her son’s arrest reached her. She declares that it is not true, and is only a plan to hide the tracks of the real Thaw. August 22.

Thaw has been examined by local alienists, who declared that he was sane. An armed guard is constantly patrolling outside his cell in order to prevent his escape. The precautions adopted by the New York State authorities include a highpowered ‘ motor ready to chase him at a moment’s notice.