CASEMENT’S TRIAL.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7720, 16 May 1916, Page 3

CASEMENT’S TRIAL.

CREATES INTENSE PUBLIC INTEREST. MR HEALY REFUSES A BRIEF. LONDON, May 15. Intense interest is taken in the Casement trial, and the demand for admission tickets is so great that the authorities have determined to issue none. The public must wait in the queue. The procedure resembles that of the Lynch ease in 1903. Casement is in good health, though there were indications of his breaking down in the first days. After his arrest he was taken to Brixton gaol under a strong armed guard, and thence to the Tower, where he was incarcerated in the room in which Lady Jane Grey spent the night before her execution. He was brought to Bow-street in a taxi-cab with an armed guard, and was thus spared the indignity of a journey in the Black Maria. Mr F. E. Smith and Mr Bodkin lead for the Crown. Messrs Artemus Jones and J. Morgan defend Casement. Mr Healy refused a brief for Casement. CASE OUTLINED. HOW IRISH PRISONERS WERE ‘ BETRAYED. RETURNED PRISONER ’ S EVIDENCE. (Received This Day 9 a.m.) LONDON, May 15. The Attorney-General said the charge against Casement and Bailey is that they had committed high treason on divers occasions between the Ist of November, 1914, and the 21st of April, 1916. Bailey, in a statement made to the police on the 21st of April, said he was a reservist in the Irish Rifles and a goods porter at Paddington station. He was recalled to the colors at the outbreak of war and sailed for France with the original Expeditionary Force. He was taken prisoner early in September. 1914. Counsel outlined Casement’s history, stating that evidence would be given of his attempts seduce Irish prisoners in Germany on lines already known. In the event of (rcrnmny winning a sea battle Casement would land a brigade in Ireland. In the event of Germany losing every man would receive from £lO to £2O and a free pass to America. A few seceded from their allegiance to the King and received certain privileges and a green uniform decorated with a harp. Bailey was one of these. Casement was found hiding in a ruined fort, I and gave the name of Richard Morton. Later in London he confessed his identity. When the men were formally charged Casement declared that Bailey was innocent and wished to provide for Bailey’s defence. John Robertson, a returned army medical prisoner, gave evidence that Casement addressed the Irish prisoners at Limburg. One prisoner attacked Casement. About Mfty joined the Irish Brigade. CASEMENT’S CONFEDERATE. (Received This Day 11 a.m.) LONDON, May 15. Daniel Julian Bailey, a soldier arrested with Casement, was an Irish prisoner at Limburg. He accepted Casement’s offer to assist the Germans. He is in the'dock with Casement charged with high treason on divers occasions from November, 1914. MORBID CURIOSITY. PRISONERS’ APPEARANCE IN THE DOCK. (Received This Day, 2 p.m.) LONDON, May 15. Two ladies, equipped with cushions and literature, arrived at Bow Street at one o’clock in the morning. The police supplied them with coffee. Others assembled before live o’clock. Casement arrived in a taxi with an armed guard, practically secretly. Hundreds formed a queue before : the Court opened. j Casement stepped briskly into the I dock. He is tall and slim, with grizzled hair carefully brushed. Ho appeared careless, but a twitching of the fingers and a nervous movement betrayed anxiety.

Bailey is of a different type, apparently an ignorant country man, and was unshaved. He sat stiffly upright and motionless. Casement took voluminous notes and showed no sign of anxiety as the case advanced. The Attorney-General’s opening statement was not dramatic, but he spoke quietly and confidentially of the adventure and the progress of events.