The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-04-16

A NCAy 1ulcIeSlluS uSuie is COlOue
Arthur Lynch, the intrepid com
mander Of the Irish Brigade in the
Boer war, who has just been released
after a years penal servitude in an
English prison, to which he had been
committed for life OH charge Of high
treason. Colonel Lynch owes his re.
lease to the direct intervention of King
Edward VII, and while he is very
grateful to his majesty, he speaks very
strongly on the subject Of his trial
and sentence. He is at present with
his wife in little seaport town in
France, enjoying a rest after the strain
of his incarceration. He is living ul-
der an assumed name in order to es-
cape the attention of the public, but he
was discovered, of course, by the ubi-
.quitous American reporter and con-
sented to an interview, because of his
attachment to America.
In appearance, Colonel Lynch is
striking. He is tall, has penetrating
eyes, brown complexion, closely
cropped mustache and a firm jaw. He
is full of nervous energy, but speaks
in a distinct, careful manner, saying
nothing without weighing his words
well.
Following is his story in his own
words:
When I reflect upon the motives
with which took up arms in South
Africa, find as is usual in human .,f-
fairs, that there was a consensus of
a great number of moving impulses.
But, perhaps, the strongest and really
determining motive was my republi-
<canism. 1 have all my life been a
Republican with the spirit of the
French Republicans of hundred
years ago.
You ask why went to England?
My reason was very simple one.
had allowed myself to be elected to
Parliament by Galway, and consid-
cred it my duty to try to fulfill my
part Of the contract, no matter what
JQlSlT De the consequences.
When 1 came over, 1 had no GER
tainty whatever that the government
would not insist on their pound or
fesh'' to the utmost. Some time be-
fore coming over, 1 had conversa-
tion with one of the prominent news
paper proprietors in London, and he
told me that he had been informed
by cabinet minister that if came
over they would give me ten years.
The trial itself was violation of
the terms of peace, by which terms
should either have been tried in Ma
piles or in Australia. 1 demanded to
be tried in Australia. The attorney
general said that that demand had not
been made at the proper time. But
that is a bubble on a par with the
rest Of the proceedings.
Legally, had no counsel at all un-
til few days before the trial, that
being the law in cases of high treason.
Indeed, the authorities seemed to put
it forward as great act of consider
alton that they allowed me counsel
at all. Even my lawyers had to beg
permission to act for me.
My counsel considered that, by the
strict reading of the law, my natur-
Alization in South Africa really pro-
tected me. That view was very ably
npheld by Mr.. Tim Healy, M. P.
My contention was that there was
no basis for the trial, and I was, ac-
cordingly, instructed by my counsel
to refuse to plead. It was only after
this point had been overruled that,
for the first time, 1 demanded to be
tried in Australia, that moment be.
ing technically the first opportunity
which had been afforded me for max.
ing such demand. I was not in the
least surprised to find this request
negatived.
The prosecuting counsel were two
of the ablest men at the command of
the government, the attorney-general,
Sir Robert Finlay, and the solicitor.
general, Sir Edward Carson. I must
say, however, considered them only