New-York tribune., 1903-01-24
ILONDONS LATEST NEWS. COL. LYNCH CONVICTED
SENTENCED TO DEATH.
Final Scenes in oWt-Erpectafaon
of Cemency.


London, Jan 23-when the trial of Colonel
Arthur Lynch, member of Parliament for Gai-
way, on the charge of high treason. was re-
surned TODAY counsel for the defence began
summing up. There was no attempt TO DENY
that Colonel Lynch supported the Beers. but
counsel contended that his naturalization was
in no way prompted by reasonable intent and
was solely for the advantage he would thus
secure for journalistic purposes. subsequently
the defendant actively supported the Boer cause
in the belief that he legally naturalized
burgher.
Replying for the prosecution the Solicitor
General, Sir Edward Carson, maintained that
Colonel Lynch joined the Boer army as a dis
contented Irishman, thereby committing a most
cowardiy and most serious act of treason" His
naturalization. continued the Solicitor General,
only a fmsy pretext. Counsel then pro-
ceeded TO detail the prisoners alleged acts Of
adherence to his country's enemies.
The Lord Chief Justice summed up very
briefly. He said that IL in wartime a British
subject Joined the Kings enemies, whatever his
purpose, he was guilty of an unlawful act
Naturalization during wartime afforded no ex-
whatever for subsequent acts. There was
abundant evidence. he said, of overt acts in aid
ing the Kings enemies
The jury, after having been out half an hour.
returned verdict of guilty.
In delivering sentence Justice Wills said the
crime OF high treason. of which the prisoner had
been found guilty. was happily that 1t
seemed to be almost an anachronsm. No civil
ized community had yet failed to punish severely
detection from loyalty, whether in the way of
open warfare secret intrigue. In the darkest
hours of his country's fortunes when engaged in
deadly struggle, Lynch Joined the ranks Of it's
foes and shed the blood of his fellow subjects
fighting for their country, and sought to de-
throne Great Britain from her place among the
nations. The only paation which could be
offered was that it had been the fashion for
some years TO treat lightly matters of this kind,
and men had been encouraged to play with
sedition and toy with treason. The nation had
treated with contemptuous indifference speeches
and acts of sedition; but it was one thing to talk
sedition and quite a different thing TO bear arms
in the ranks of the country's foes
When asked if he had anything to say as to
why he should not be sentenced to death, Colo
mel Lynch replied:
Thank you. 1 will say nothing
The sentence of death was passed each of
the four counts in the indictments. The prisoner
then bowed to the court, and was removed in
custody. Lynch, throughout, bore himself with
unfaltering composure. He walked out steadily
between the jailers, and past the bench where
his wife and other rela tives seated. Mrs.
Lynch received permission to see her husband.
After the prisoner had been removed Lynch
and his counsel had conference regarding the
course to be adopted in the future and later it
announced that action would be taken
present. Counsel can proceed with applying
for writ of error, but 1t is thought likely that
this will be rendered unnecessary by the COM
mutation Of the sentence to short term of i'm
prisonment, in which case 1t is probable that
the prisoner will accept the situation. AL
though formally sentenced to be hanged
Lynchs sentence will doubt be commuted.
Lynch's conviction creates vacancy in Gal
way and it is understood that Captain Shave
Taylor, organizer of the recent Land Confer
ence, who is now in America will be eandi-
date. with the approval Of the various political
parties.
Colonel Arthur Lynch born In Smythendale,
Victoria Australia. in 1861 his father having emil
grated to that country from Ireland. He studied
civil engineering at Melbourne University, and,
after practising his profession for time. went
to Berlin University to continue his studies. But
having always taken a strong interest in Irish
politics. he went to Ireland and for Parliament
from Galway in 1891 the Parnen ticket being
defeated by ffty-one votes. 1t about this
time that he had several books published. among
them being critical and poetical works and some
fiction This turned his attention newspaper
work. and he was for some years connected with
various papers in London and Paris part of the
time correspondent.
When the Boer began he was on Paris
paper, for which he went to South Africa
respondent. After arriving there. however. he did
not long continue to be correspondent. but
joined the lighting force of the Beers. He ths
organizer and commander of the Second Irish
Brigade, taking part in several battles. In the
early part of 1901 he to this country on
lecturing tour TO raise money for the organization
of another Irish brigade to fight for the Beers.
From here he went to Paris and from there
again to South Africa 1t while there that he
was elected Parliament from Galway
Nationalist. Though he left South Africa learn
ing of his election. he did not try Immediately TO
take his seat in Parliament. but went instead to
Paris, where he remained for some time. When he
did go to London he arrested at the
charge of high treason. and was arraigned in the
police court that charge last June being held
for the Court Of Kings Bench, where his trial
began Wednesday before Lord Chief Justice
Alverstone, Justice Wills. Justice Channel and
jury. The outcome is told In the London dis
patches.
HARRINGTON WINS IN DUBLIN