The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1882-04-13

American Citizens In Irish Prisons.
Ia certain quarters considerable ado has
been made over the fact that few Irish.
men who claim TO have been naturalized in
America and are therefore citizens OF this
country, have been arrested in Ireland by
the English authorities on suspicion that
they were engaged in opposing the opera.
ton OF the land act. Our minister to En-
gland, James Russell Lowell, has been
censured because he did not interfere more
actively in behalf Of these prisoners
Now if our American citizens have gone
to Ireland and broken the laws of the coun.
try we see no reason why they should not
be arrested and if found guilty punished
like the citizens of that country. II an
Englishman commits murder in New York
he is tried for the commission of the crime
and il found guilty is hung. II a foreign.
er breaks one of oar laws we claim the
right to punish him and we ought to con-
oede tho same right to the British govern
ment. The fact that some Of our citizens
do not approve ofIthe coercion act rs APP
piled to Ireland ought to make no differ
ence.
The London correspondent of tho Now
York TriJluH thus states the case and we
think fairly;
''Ihe truth about American Intervention
in behalf of the Irish-American suspects is
stated by an English authority to be as
follows: No American, known to he such
when the warrant was issued, has been ar
rested. The fact OF suspect being an
American or of foreign nationality would
not have been considered by the Irish Ex-
rest, if the accused person brought him
self within the range OF the Coercion Act
This act has been administered, like ev-
cry other act for the prevention of crime,
without respect OF persons. Cases arose
early last year where the suspects were of
alleged American nationality. Every such
case was carefully examined. The Ameri-
can Minister invariably, pursuant to in-
structions, lodged IN the British Foreign
Office formal statement OF the prisoner 5
claim, together with request for particu.
lars OF the offence and speedy trial. One
suspect was released last autumn. About
q month since the question was brought
more urgently before the British Govern
ment, Mr.. Lowell, in obedience to instruc-
tions from Washington, asking the release
OF all the IRISH American SUSPECTS,
Active negotiation, followed. The Brit
ish Government never admitted nor under
stood the American Government t. claim
that ii had right TO interfere. The Gov,
eminent would resist such claim ii d ya,
advanced. 1t is believed here y a =,
American Government expressf 90 ,eo;,I
admitted that Americans J" Ill 80,
inc The law heoame - =. Ireland Won
nopal,v az Iri.Lmr .pject to the sH
pona,. =, - ., .s" No English Law y
foreign q sert or admit the ri8ht OF
tweer .overnment W =.
IT, the English statutes, or 10 allie
at its subjects were liable uhaef one al
not liable under another.
Bnt When the American Go''ernme
: nrced the release OF the American snspee
| on the grounds of expediency aud conf
/. the British Government showed All INN
diate readiness to listen to the various pr
posals. Suggestions were made on DO
7 sides, the British Government inviting :
e American Government, when dissatish
with the first proposals, themselves
, state what would be satisfactory. NJ
Forster expressed to everybody with who
; be conyersed not only willingness but
e anxiety to grant the releases. The Britt
l. Government finally agreed TO release
a who would promise to leave the countr
II is believed that it contented itself wi
|, even less-a pledge from SONS. OF those
II tually discharged. II any lrisL-Alne
n cans remain in Jail they remain there
q cause the Land League wants them 10
:. main there. Some suspects, In obedien
10 the orders Of the League refuse to
> out Of the open door. The Parneiii'
y we're bitterly disappointed that any AM
y icaus shonld have accepted the Cover
II ineni's terms, aud endeayored to persua
those released To refuse 10 leave the cot
try, aud thus to keep the dispute open o
u start fresh difficulties.
. Iyssa = pinkharn's tegetal1Ie 90