GERMAN FARMS FOR IRISHMEN.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXI, Issue 16604, 27 April 1916, Page 5

GERMAN FARMS FOR IRISHMEN.

BRITISH PRISONER'S ACCOUNT OF SIR ROGER CASEMENT'S TREACHERY.

Many and varied have been the accounts of Sir Roger Casement's treachery to his country. The following, says the London "Daily Graphic",,is a true version of the affair. It has been provided, by an eye-witness and participant in the famous meeting at Limtjcrg, where the British baronet unfolded his infamous plot last year,. The story has been given to a London journalist,by an ex-prisoner of war belonging to a famous Irish regiment, who has recently reached home exchanged as being disabled for. life.

The Irish soldiers gave the speaker a "quiet hearing to the end. Then suddenly and in a body they rushed at the. foul traitor, got him, and, kicked him half round the camp before help could come to him. The German guard rushed in with fixed bayonets, and what was described fry the ex-prisoner of war as a free Irish light followed ~ The contest was unequal as the Irish soldiers were unarmed, but they stuck to Sir Roger Casement and gave him a sound beating in the face of German bayonets used right and left by the guard. The returned prisoner of war had his shrapnel wounds opened uj> in the fight, but he said it was worth it. -

The Irish prisoners of war were' assembled by the German Guard at Limberg, it appears, for a meeting to be addressed by Sir Roger Casement. The baronet began by extolling the Germans and their rule, and gradually worked up his speech to a passionate appeal ,to the Irish soldiers to forswear their allegiance to King George and join a new regiment, "the German Irish Brigade." , ~ '<

By way of inducement Sir Roger Casement said he was authorised by the Kaiser to promise the men Home Rule for Ireland. Germany proposed after a sea battle,to effect a landing in Ireland. They wanted Ireland, said Sir Roger, because ft was the key to the. Atlantfo, but they would treat the Irish people well. . -; "Sir Roger Casement further offered the following inducements" to his audience to join Germany. Every Irish scldie* would get a German farm, a German wife and three marks a day for life. Alternately any man after the war might have a free passage to America with employment assured there and a.grant of £20. ---■■■-.■ .-,,-.-