Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-23
COL. LYNCH MUST DIE
Guilty Of Treason To- British
Government.
FOUGHT WITH BoERs
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FROM
IRISH DISTRICT.
Claim in His Defense That He Had Ex-
patriated Himself Ignored
by the Court.
FOUGHT WITH BoERS

LONDON, January 23-When the trial of
Col. Arthur Lynch, member of parliament
for Galway, on the cnarEe OF high treason
was resumed today counsel for the defense
began summing up There was 10 attempt
to deny that Col. Lynch supported the
Beers, but counsel contended that his natu-
ralization was In no way prompted by trea-
sonable intent and was solely for the ad-
vantage he would thus secure for Journal
istic purposes. Subsequently the defendant
actively supported the Roer rause- in the
be,ief that he was legally naturalized
burgher.
Replying for the prosecution, the solicitor
general, Sir Edward Carson, maintained
that Col Lynch Joined the Boer army as a
discontented Irishman, thereby commit
ting a most cowardly and most serious act
OF treason" His naturalization, continued
the solicitor general. was only fiimsy pre-
text. Counsel then proceeded to detail the
prisoners alleged acts Of adherence to his
country's enemies.
Chief Justice Sums Up.
The lord chief justice summed up very
briefly. He said that If In war time Brit
ish subject Joined the kings enemies, what
ever his purpose. he was guilty of an un-
lawful act. Naturalization during war
time afforded no excuse whatever for sub
sequent acts. There was abundant evil
dence, he said, of overt acts in aiding the
kings enemies.
The jury, after having been out half an
hour, returned a verdict OF guilty.
In delivering sentence Justice Wills said
the crime Of high treasou,- OF which the
prisoner had been found Dutltyswas hap
PLY so rare that it seemedsfo becalmost an
anachronism. No civilizedccommnnity had
yet failed to punish severely defection from
loyalty, whether in the waG6 of topen war
fare or secret intrigue. In the darkest hours
Of his country's fortune. when engaged in a
deadly struggle, Lynch joined the ranks of
its foes end shed the blood Of his fellow
subjects fighting for their country, and
sought to dethrone Great Britain from her
place among nations. The only palliation
which could be offered was&that 1t had been
the fashion for some years. to treat lightly
matters OF this kind, and man had been en-
couraged to play with sedittDn and toy with
treason. The nation had tuea tedzwith con-
temptuous indiference spaechessand acts
of sedition; but 1t was one thing to talk Sc
arms in the ranks Of the coamtryts foes.
Prisoner Has Nothing TO- Say.
When asked if he had anything to say as
to why he should not, be sentenced to
death. Col. Lynch replied: THANK you. I
will say nothing" r. -
The sentence Of death was passed on each
of the four counts in the Indictment.
The prisoner then bowed to the court and
was removed in custody.
Lynch throughout, bore himself with un-
faltering composure. He walked out steadi-
ly between the jailers and past the bench
where his wife and other relatives were
seated. Mrs. Lynch has been given per-
mission to see her husband
Although formally sentenced to be hanged
Lynch's sentence will no doubt be COM
muted.