I.W.W. CASES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 17936, 2 August 1920, Page 5

I.W.W. CASES.

MR. JUSTICE EWING’S REPORT. SYDNEY, July 31. Mr Justice Ewing’s report recommends tk.e release of John Hamilton, sentenced to 15 years; Bernard BeIsant, 10; Thomas Moore, 10; Donlaid MePhersin, 10; William Teen, 115; and Morris Joseph Fagin, 15; alj of whom he considered wrongly convicted; also Thomas Glynh, 10 I years; Peter Larkin. 10; William ; Beatty 15;' and Donald Grant, 15; all of whom are considered to have expiated their offences. Charles Reeve’s sentence of ten years is deemed not excessive, whilst John : Benjamin King’s term is deemed to ;be greatly in excess of his offence. (King has been sentenced to five ■ years, cumulative upon two years, j arising out of the bank forgery case, land would be released in August, 11921. Mr Justice Ewing adds that (the evidence of Scully and David and Louis Goldstein was the evidence of liars and perjurers. If the Judge at i the first trial had known their real i character the jury would never have (accepted their statements unless (they had been conclusively corroborated. The Cabinet will consider the report on Tuesday. It is expected immediate effect I will be given to the recommendations. After a trial which lasted twelve days, twelve members of the I.W.W. in December, 1917, were sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from five to fifteen years on charges lof conspiracy in connection with a (number of fires which occurred in I Sydney. The fires and subsequent proceedings caused a sensation in Sydney. The names of the prisoners are:—Charles Reeve, 30, native of England; Thomas Glynn, 35, Ireland; Peter Larkin, 45, Ireland: John Hamilton, 42, Victoria; Bernard Besant. 25, England; Donald McPherson. 29, Scotland: William Teen, 30, Tasmania; William Beatty, 30, England; Morris Joseph Fagin, 40. Russia: Donald Grant, 27, Scotland: Thomas Moire, 34, New Zealand: Johil Benjamin King, 46, Canada. REPORT CAUSES SURPRISE. SEVERE BLOW’ TO JURY SYSTEM. SOME OF PRISONERS MAY BE DEPORTED. I RedE-ived August 1, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, July 31. Mr. Justice Ewing’s report on the I.W.W. cases is very lengthy. It carefully reviews the general evidence and traverses the case of each man. In several cases Justice Ewing admits that doubts were not fully cleared up, but in all such cases he followed the usual British practice of giving the prisoners the full benefit of the doubt. He repeatedly denounces the evidence of Scully and the Goldsteins, who, the Judge declares, were prepared to swear anything inside or outside the Court to save themselves from being implicated. Over and above this, they expected to receive substantial rewards us informers. The report has caused surprise, and much speculation as to future developments. In some quarters, it is regarded as a severe knock to the jury system, in Labour circles Mr. Justice Ewing’s findings are received with much satisfaction, combined with a strong demand for immediate release of the prisoners. Arrange-| ments are being made for big demonstrations to celebrate the-release. A rumour is current that there is possibility of the Federal Government stepping in and deporting ten of the twelve who are not Australian born on the ground that they were convicted of sedition during a critical period of the war. This action could be taken either under the War Precautions or the Undesirable Aliens Acts. Such intervention, however, is sure to meet strong op- j position in Labour circles. Received August 1, 12.50 a.m. , SYDNEY. Aug. 1. In is anticipated that ten prisoners w ill be released on Wednesday, possibly also King.