The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-03-27
KIDNAPPING A NATURALIzED oIrI.

We published yesterday a brief dispatch
announcing that Robert Ireland, OF New
York City, had bsen kidnapped by agents of
the British Government. Re wrote to his
wife that ne had bsen eniiced across the
Canadian bNdsr by 3 man who gave the
name OF John Shields. and who was an En-
glish detective in dssuise, and had been
thrown into prison as a desertsr from the
British army. Mrs. Ireland. almost beside
herself with grief, hurried to the District
Attorneys Office, My husband" she said,
twas born in England, but his pueDts
moved TO Scotland when he was two years OF
age. He joined the British army before he
was of age, and was attached to the pipers of
a Highland regiment stationed near Ayr,
Scotland. In 1876 he deserted, being worn
out by harsh treatment and poor pay. and
came TO this city. Five years ago be became
a citizen of the United States"
Ia the letter he wrote to his wife he said:
The man who met me at Buffalo said the date of
the engagement was wrong. He said he would
make 1t pleasant for me, aud took me to see Mag
ara Falls. When he got me across The river into
Canada he gave me OYER TO the police. L don't
know whether / can get this posted; they are
watching me so closely. l am TO De examined to-
0lOLlOW II ell W EuSlduus 4 nave DtEQ
searched and ali my letters and money have been
taken. l had the dec0y letter and other letters in
M pocket. and they are sure OF me. have been
taken before some man 1 don't know who he Is.
/ asked him 10 let me go for my wife and chill
dren's sake. but he says the Government is going
70 take every deserter 1t can catch, and he is sorry
for me. but he must obey orders he said l would
be tasen at once to England. The Queen herself,
he says. cap not release me now. Nv Coo This
is terrible. Death only is worse than this.
This will PROBABLY grow into a very grave
,oea rnfeos D-on0ofFu opl -u;sal-h o,5lal tr
tina administration at Washington. Tais
man is a naturalized citizen OF the USiied
States, and the District Attorney of New
York d%enouncss the arrest and impris,n.
ment as unjustifable 1t is always best, how
ever, to Keep cool upon all such occasions.
until the Secretary OF State and the Attor-
ney General look up the lsw in the case, aud
decide Whist is the best policy to pursue. The
District Attorney already referred to says:
'This is clearly q case. %eupposing il is all
that it appears. in my opinion, ought to re-
ceive prompt attention from the State De-
partment. The eecoying of an American
citizen to Canada, and his arbitrary impris-
onment there, are bad enough. but in this
case is added summary removal to England
for trial on a charge thst is nine years old.
and where the defendant, being thousands of
miles away from kindred and friends, can
| not make q successful defense. Granting
! that Ireland deserted from the British army,
there can be little doubt, it seems to me, his
arrest and imprisonment are uniustifable.
For nearly five years he has been an Ameri-
cdh citizen, and for most OF that time in the
puhlic aorv;oo bera Ciueo ba hocama a riti.
zen OF the United States he has not offended
a ,sir ct any of the laws of England, civil Or
military, and as an unoffendiDg citizen he
is entitled to the protection of our Govern.
| mantp