The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-05-27
A CONSPIRACY
Claimed to be In Existence for the
Separation of Canada from
English Control.
An Interview with Riel- He Falls
Back on His Rights as an
American Citizen.

Ns -'' HN L ltSS AASSDcIes
tion publishes the following, which it says
was obtained from II reliable source: Early
III January Alfred Awkward, notorious in
connection with the Boer rebellion, arrived
in London from New York. He was ex-
tremely reticent in regard to the object Of
ms visit, but on one occasion he told u
Trend at Il social gathering ut his LODGINGS
in Piccodilly that before long he would
again prove a sharp thorn in the side of
the British Government. He went to Paris
ana remained there Il fortnight, staying at
the American Hotel Danour, and describ-
ing himself as Il surgeon dentist. He care
1ully avoided English and Irish haunts.
Ignoring the Fenian leaders. Our informant
says that Aylward's visit was connected
with klels rebellion aud the furtherance of
the movement among the French popula-
ton OF Canada for separation from Great
Britain. That France encouraged the
ldea directly by organized emigration and
intrigue far more than the English or loyal
Canadians realize. The Riel affair was
simply an experiment., designed to accus-
tom the French Canadians to feel and
think as a distinct race. About the middle
OF March A.ylward sailed for New York
via Havre, giving his address to a London
friend as jackson. at st. Paul, minnesota.
After his arrival atSt. Paul many officers of
THE IRISH ~KEPUBLICAN BROTHERHOOD
went westward, including Captain Thomas
>. Mullen, who in the years 1865 and 1866
was regarded as Captain McCaftery's right
hand man, and Sergeant Crosby, formerly
OF the Seventh United States Infantry.
They traversed Dakota at the head OF
thlrty-slx armed men and three mule teams
and thirty days rations. Mullen made no
secret OF his destination or intentions.
.Aylwards directing hand was plainly seen
i'll the fighting at Batouche. Awkward went
to Africa i'll 1865 because his life was en-
dangered by the unjust suspicious OF the
Assassination Committee OF the Irish Re-
publican Brotherhood. In October, 1883,
Aylward voluntarily presented himself
before the committee OF Rossa's Immediate
supporters and justified himself against the
charges Of unfaithfulness.
AN INTERVIEW WITH REL.
,WISNlpEG, Manitoba May 25.-Rev.
Mr.. PltsbladO, who was on board
the steamer "Northcote" with Riel after
the ~latter's capture, gives an interview with
the rebel leader, which is substantially as
follows Riel is described as a cunning.
intelligent man. He did notknow what the
authorities wonld do with him. He was
forced to fight, he said, by the police
and the Hudson BayCompany' IS officers, who
tyrranized over the half-breeds and abused
their power. Speaking OF the battle OF
Batouche, Ricl said he had 0 men en-
gagged, OF whom eight were killed and two
wounded. During the fight he was present
among the men in the pits. He spoke OF
the priests as opposed to any attempt on
the part of the half-breeds to nave their
wrongs righted, and denounced them az
tyrranical and interested solely in theirown
welfare. The priests wers against him
QsieD, not because he rebelled, but because
he did not succeed in helping them. The
People forced him to fight and
o LET HIN GO BACK
to Montana. He was on his way to give
himself up to Middleton, he said, when the
scouts captured him. On the subject OF his
religious views, Riel was very communica-
tive. He declared his opposition to the
Church OF Rome, and said it's priests had
too much to do with civil affairs. A coun-
Gil at Batouche, he said, had adopted Il
religious creed Of distinct doctrines which
they wished to teach the people. eve be-
lieve in Il Church government he said.
1--WE prefer the Episcopal. We would like
to see Il head bishop for the Dominion or
for the New World, who would be indpend-
ent of Rome. We don't think the affairs OF
the church can be rightly administered so
far away. This country will never be free
under the sharklcs OF Rome
When asked why he rebrllcd in ORDER to
have the claims OF the half-brrrds granted
he said: I'VE did not rebel. This matter
is not Il rcbcllion.' He referred to the
treaty between the Government and the
%half-breeds OF Manitoba, and said tina as
no treaty had been made with them they
had never transferred their rights. They
simply defended themselves. They deserved
to have an equitable arrangement made
for their interests. When asked what would
be his answer ii charged with treason, he
replied that he was /; citizen OF the United
States and he
COULD NOT BE a TRAITOR To CANADA.
He said he went to the United States at the
solicitation OF Archbishop Tactc. He IT,
turned, was declared an outlaw and then
went bnckt to the States. to which he was
banished for five ycras.
"How much money did the Government
give your he WAS asked.
at gavemr fSOo.' he answered, "and my
wife GOO
In addition to the abovc-named defense
the charge OF treason, Riel said he should
rely upon upon HIS loyalty while II subject
the English Government. lie concluded
by saying: 81 have been true to the half
breeds. ! have not rebelled against the
Government. have my papers all right
as IL citizen of the United States and can
hardly be Il traitor to the Dominion.'
MONTREAL, May 2G.-F. Y. Lenlieux,
Member OF Parliament, and Charles Kirk
in defending Riel, will have the
Hon. Mr.. Mcrcier as counsel. They will
insist that their client be tried by IL jury of
his countrymen, ;as Il commission appointed
by the Government cannot be impartial.
II =, ,f,t,J - rn,1 ,{1%. that H.,
Iiset has organized the defense and will ar
range for all expenses.