The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-25
IS A I @ FIGURE.
Easement, an Ulster rrotestant, II
Irish Nationalist Partisan.

One Of the most interesting figures in
the struggle for Irish home rule both
before and during the war IL Sir Roger
Easement, who for eighteen years rem.
dered loyal and important service to
the British Government AZ consular
representative. Since almost the be-
ginning Of the war he had been In Ger.
many where, according to somewhat
vague reports reaching the outside world,
he was working for Irish independence.
Rumors of attempts by Germany to
stir UP a spirit OF revolt In Ireland have
been frequent, and II In also alleged
that German agents have been working
IN the south OF ireland to prevent re-
cruits from Joining the British army.
Easements activities In Germany were
! excused by Sir a. Conan DOYLE in n
which ne said hat SIR Roger was a
sick worn out by tropical hard
ships and out Of his mind.
A report printed In THE Y on April
IL last stated that Sir Roger Easement
had been arrested In Germany.
In November. 1914. Il manifesto to the
Irish people vas printed In the semi
official Norddentsche AIiDemetne Het-
tang. The manifesto was called forth
by an alleged interview between Case
ment and the assistant Minister OF For
eign Affairs. 1t was stated that Ger
many would never land an army to pill
iage ireland. The text Of the manifesto
was delcted by the censor.
Early In 1915 reports were received
| from Germany TO the effect that Sir
Roger had proposed to 20 to America to
form a secret organization Of Irishmen
and then send agents to Ireland to stir
up a revolt. but that he was unable to
| devise "A plan of reaching this country
without capture by British warships.
In May. 1915. despite the fact that
Easement was in Germany and his
pension was suspended pending an in.
vestigation OF allegations that he was
disloyal. his name was proposed. accord
ing 10 the Liverpool Courier. for "A va
| cant Dublin seat in Parliament. by the
| Sim Fcin Society.
Much has been published OF the al
legged attempt Of the British Govern
| meut to arrest Sir Roger on his way TO
Germany. He himself has stated that an
attempt was made TO bribe his man
servant TO 'knock him on the head"
shortly after his arrival In Germany
Sir Roger stated that while at Chris
tianiA. on route. British agents had
taker MS man servant a Norwegian
nan ed Adler Christensen. TO the British
Legation and offered him s25.0 900 to de-
liver Sir Roger into their hands. In
proof ~ this assertion the Irish leader
| produced a Photographic reproduction OF
a letter alleged to he signed by VI. de C..
Firdlay, the British Minister. In which
| the money was offered II through In
formation given by the servant sir
Roger Easement he captured either with
or without HIS companions The SER
want revealed the plot TO his master.
Cas-. ment has stated since that his
object in going to Germany Was to as
| certain the attitude OF the German Gov
eminent toward ireland. and In the hope
that by his action he would prevent
many young Irishmen from enltst!ng In
| the war to fight against Germany. when.
he declares. they have absolutely no IN
terest In the war.
Sir Roger Easement, who IL 81 years
Of age. Is n very rare type OF 1rishman.
an Ulster Protestant who liz heart and
soul with the Irish N~ationalists in. their
struggle for Home Rule.
He entered the British Consular SER
vice in 1895. In 1905 and 1909 he was
Consul at Para. Brazil. His name be-
came known all over the world az the
result OF the awful conditions which he
exported among the Indians employed In
the rubber fields In tho putunayo dis
,rIct when ne was General AT Rio
de Janeiro from 1909 10 1913. lie re-
ported that IN this Peruvian district. AS
a result OF the methods employed. 80. 900
Indians had died and the rubber district
rcsembled u battlefield. strcwn with the
bones OF the slaves, lie charged that
the responsibility for the conditions lay
with the British.
In July. 1914. only n few days before
the outbreak Of the war, Str Roger, who
was In the United States. DENOUNCED the
attempts by the British Government to
seize the rifles OF the Irish volunteers as
awless violence and pointed out that the
Ulster r.. who openly
| that they would RESIST the British by
| force If Hon, Rule wet into effect. were
not interfeied with.
Easement resigned from the British
| Consular service in June. 1913.