PUNISHMENT OF IRISH REBELS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 700, 9 May 1916, Page 7

PUNISHMENT OF IRISH REBELS.

MR REDMOND URGES CESSATION OF EXECUTIONS. DEATH PENALTY ONLY FOR THE MOST GUILTY. (Received May 9, 10.2:> a.m.) LONDON, May 8. In the House of Commons, Mr Asquith said that steps were being taken to ascertain what Government officials had been implicated in the Irish outbreak. The Government was considering a form of tribunal to try the rank and tile of the rebels. Mr John Redmond, the Nationalist leader, asked whether Mr Asquith was aware that the continuance of executions was causing rapidly increasing bitterness and exasperation amongst a large section of the population who had not the slightest sympathy with the insurrection, and whether, following General Botha's precedent in South Africa, he would immediately stop the executions. Mr Asquith replied that Mr Redmond had from the tirst urged on the Government —and his arguments had fallen on willing ears—the importance of clemency to the rank and file. General Sir John Maxwell had been in direct personal communication with the Cabinet, which had great confidence that lie would exercise discretion regarding the death penalty, which would be used as sparingly as possible, and only in cases of those guilty in the first degree. No one was more anxious than Sir John Maxwell and himself that such cases should be fined to the narrowest limits, and should cease at the earliest possible moment. NO FURTHER USE FOR IRELAND. GERMANY CHANGES HER POLICY TOWARDS PRISONERS (Received May 9, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, May 8. In the House of Commons Mr 11. J. Tennaut (Under-Seen** tary for War), in reply to a question, said that Germany was no longer differentiating in favour of Irish prisoners of war. THE BATTLE ROUND VERDUN. FURIOUS GERMAN ATTACK ON HILL 304 REPULSED. FRENCH MAKE SUCCESSFUL COUNTER-ATTACKS. The High Commissioner reports:— LONDON, May 8 (3.5 p.m.). On the left bank of the Mouse fierce fighting continued during the course of the night. The enemy made furious attempts to capture Ili!l 304, but they were broken before our stubborn resistance. The German losses were extremely severe. A lively counter-attack permitted us to drive out the enemy from tin 4 communication trench east of Hill 304. where, he had secured a footing yesterday. About 50 prisoners were taken. o,n the right bank of the Meuse, in the region of the Haudromont Wood, as a result of a series of combats during the night, we drove out the enemy from the greater part of the first line trenches which he penetrated yesterday. About 30 prisoners were taken. Il is confirmed that yesterday's German offensive, on a front of two kilometres, between the Haudromont and Doua union t forts, cost important sacrifices. The artillery is very active in the region of Remieres and Jury Woods, west of Pont-a-Mousson. LATEST RUMOUR ABOUT CROWN PRINCE. REMOVED FROM COMMAND OF THE VERDUN FRONT. (Received May 9, 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, May 8. A Swedish dispatch states that the German General Staff has decided, with the consent of the Kaiser, to remove the Crown Prince from the command of the Verdun front.

GREEK RESERVISTS. | ENROLMENT IN DOMINION. Picks Association. WELLINGTON, May 9. Mr Dyer, Vice-Consul for Greece, at Wellington, has received instructions from Athens to enrol all Greek reservists in New Zealand, in case their services are required.

WAR IN THE AIR. FRENCH AVIATORS' SUCCESS. GERMAN MACHINES DESTROYED. The High Commissioner reports: LONDON, .May 8 (3.5 p.m.). Two German aeroplanes were brought down in aerial fighting in the region of Verdun, and one in the neighbourhood of Orness, while another was seriously damaged south of Azannes. IN MESOPOTAMIA. KUT-EL-AMARA PRISONERS. GENERAL TOWNSHEND AT BAGDAD. (Received .May !). 8.5(1 a.ni.i CONSTANTINOPLE, May 8. It is reported that General Townshe nd and four generals of his stall' have been taken to Bagdad, whither the other British soldiers captured at Kut-el-Amara are being gradually transferred. A SUSSEX SURVIVOR. ARRIVES IN SYDNEY. (Received .May !>, !t.1") a.m.) SYDNEY, May 9. George Melvor, w'io was a passenger on the Sussex when she was torpedoed in the Knglish Channel, slates that alter an hour's delay the vessel's wireless plant was repaired and called for assistance. The <iela\ in the arrival of the rescuers was due to the operators giving the wrong position of the ship. SOLDIERS. Before leaving for the front, should Lave a good photograph taken by Standish ami rieeee, 241 Iliyh Street, Christehurch. .9