The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-08
THE ESCAPED FENIANS.
Will q British War Vessel Over
haul the Catalpa?
WHY AMNESTY WAS REFUSED.
How the British Army Was Dcmoralized
by Penian Circles.
THE LOYALTY OF IRISH SOLDIERS.

The OF tho escape OF tho Fenian prisoners from
Western Australia published yesterday morning
created the most intense excitement among the Irish
people in this city and vicinity The in
the evening papers Of Tuesday seemed 70 be untrue,
and as came from London some doubts were enter
sancd but tho despatch from San Francisco published
IN yesterday mornings HERALD set all these doubts at
rest, and the thing accepted accomplished
fact The statement that colonial steamer
had been armed and sent In pursuit OF the American
whalcr, which had taken the fugitivcs on board,
created small SURPRISE though the prevailing belief
was that the catapa well on her way and beyond
all danger Of being overakan tho mo the Gcorgette
started in pursuit Tho fact that English ship
sent ont with orders TO overhaul American vessel
the high sens was looked upon as very high handed
piece OF business and showing small consideration
the part Of British officials for the rights Of American
citizens In order TO ascertain whether any violation
OF international law had been committed by tho Ca.
talpa In taking the refugees on board, HERALD
porter yesterday visited the gentleman who furnished
the Information regarding the escape which pub
shcd in yesterdays HERALD, but who wishes his
to be withheld for the present and tho following state
ment obtained from him
STATEMENT ONE VINO KNOWS
law whatever has been committed by anyone con-
nected with tho ship which has taken the escaped
prisoners on board. There perfect understand
ing with tho agent who managed tho whole business
that all other essential points, and no Is not
man TO mako mistake The men not 10 got
aboard Of any ship Ia port or In British waters They
10 escape in boats from an unfrequcntcd point
tho coast and only get board American ship and
claim the protection Of the American nag on the
high seaa Tho captain Of the Catalpa had nothing
whatever to do with tho rescue Of these men,
and performed that could DO twisted
into . violation Of international law. Any of
half dozen American whaicrs who called a. Western
Australian ports within the last months would have
cheertully done the same thing. He simply found
these at sea IN open boats, and agreed to take
them to certain place for stipulated sum Of money
As the agent knows his business thoroughly and is
exceedingly careful man, l have no doubt be has
scrupuiously adhered to his programme on these
points. Whatever breach Of law was committed was
OF English law by him and his subordnates ashore and
they perfectly Wiling TO take the responsibility OF
that More than that they would have been perfectly
competent to cope with any force OF police or other
colonial officials that could be gathered at short
ticc before putting out to sea, and In Of
counter would have made short work OF them Nearly
all the concerned In this affair veteran SOL
ders and physically are salworth and hardy set Of
men - could be found, and the soldier prisoners
met the Catapa they would have found another ship,
and they may be
before they arrive IN America There Is danger Of
thor being captured At sea- they will take such route
the Efforts The English government can put forth
against thcm As said before, The men concerned In
this business are no tyros they have all been through
the mil !" and have served hard nppren ticeship.
RxroRrER-Some people hero were under the I'M
preston that convics were longer sent to Austria
liza, and thought that all the Fenian prisoners
confined In EnRlandf
"why. the cable dispatches published in all tho daily
papers only lev Gays ssS ou6n. 20 nave ssea mat
Brooks, the member Of Parament the city OF Dub
lin, gave an explicit statement that The Fenians now
in prison except i've were In Western Australia Con-
vics sent TO Gibraltar TO the Cape OF Good Hope
and TO Western Australia at the option of the home
Australian colony. Western Australia is entirely
convict settlement ana the Director Gen.
% Of rr gosn Bowie tho o hshs. m
editor Of the Boston Pilot. was FcnIan convict and
effected his escape from Western Australia on the Ca
xclle New Bedford whacr six years ago. II is true,
however, that tho convict establishment in western
Australia about 10 DO given up, in accordance with
h. n se or 80 Ser rou
have boon sent back 10 England, where t would DO
much moro d'nscuh 10 effect rescue SO you SEQ the
rescue effected just In the nick Of time"
what course will be pursued with regard TO the
prisoners when they hcres asked the reporter
II suppose extensive preparations have been made 10
give tnem public reception"
every preparation has boon made 10 receive them
quietly. and The Irish people VIII be appealed TO 70
for Ireland by substantial money testimonial Frothy
demonstration, parades and NOISY meetings viii be
sternly discountenanccd These noble fellows want
rest and quiet and will be taken prevent them
from being demorazcd by junketings and receptions
and tall talk We have got beyond that kind Of thing
now and ,ako ! practical view Of the situation We
believe In work and talk and these soldiers werc
all quiet steady workers"
Alter eomo further conversation Of uninicrestng
nature the reporter withdrew and called
renAn prisoner, who had peculiar facilities previous
his Imprisonment for knowing the state OF the
revolutionary movement among tho Irshmen in the
British army during years previous 70 tho trial and
convic.on Of the msa who !, have s lately escaped
reason which influences successive British ministries
refuse amnesty % the soldiers after all the leaders
II, Is very easily accounted ior," said tho cxFeniaa
organizer
counting men born in England and Scotland OF Irish
parents VINO always entered the rolls English
or Scotch The British officers know very we'll that
those Will all stand by their own country. They
may light very we'll IN q Ioregn war, they have
fight at home but they would desert almost to q man
II the Irish people were In arms for the ro-
covcry Of their independence, and would 60 over
DO said Of the British navy The whole Brush
such crisis by revolutionary emissares and the Eng
ish government Is fully alive 70 the fact The high
hat would ucco ,hs military
ever since the question of amnesty mooted and u
II thought absolutely necessary to rgdiy enforce the
sentences Of tho military convics 70 deter their CON-
radss from following their example,"
"have you any objection 70 state what was the
strength Of the Fcnan organization IN the British army
before the rising IN '67f'
mot a. all Tho English government 10 now fully
informed OF the facss and u can do no harm 10 publish
them Tho military organization NO longer existed
organized body ~ the time OF the rising In March,
1851 II had boon completely shattered BY repeated
possponemeuts Of the rising and By Wholesale arrests
and courts martial IN 1866 The men wcro there bus
their spirit crushed. and The communication with
the heads Of the movement had been severed by the
arrest eli agents who had orgaui1cd the soldiers
In 1885, and up February 1885, tho strength OF
tho organization the British army was
fully 1900 men. kept vol In hand and
thoroughly organized. None but the most
reliable and Trustworthy men vers admitted 70 the
brotherhood though few informoss managed 10 creep
In and no account taken Of mass Of men Of IN
steady habits whose sympashies wore Just a. strongly
Irish as those who had been sworn In Ous OF this
number there at one time 900 actually IN Ire
land ana " = Fenian centre had charge OF she War
ho4f han