Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-30
IRSHMEN HERE
10 BACK PLEA TO
SAVE EASEMENT
Prominent Men Believe Con-
yicted Knight Acted on
Noble Motives
WILL ASK FOR PARDON
petition to British Government
in Behalf of Prisoner
Planned

A petltion to pardon Sir Roger Case
r,snt. convicted of high treason and sen
,,nced to be hanged in England, will re
eslye the enthusiastic support of prominen
tr,shren of Philadelphia. who believe tha
hasement was actuated by high ideals ant
adopted courEe which he believed to b
the best for his country.
Many Irishnien Of this city had an init
s,ste acquaintance with SIR Roger and be
,lsved that he had no other motive thar
M welfare of the Irish people at heart.
Members of Grish-American organizations
whose views carry weight in all movements
sor the benefit of the race declare they
you'd sign such petition Immediately and
sxpressed the belief that It would be EN-.
nhatically approved by all loyal 1rlshmen
throughout the country.
onlciais of several local organizations
said they would take steps in the matter
within the next "a hours There is also
talk Of starting a similar movement in all
big cities of the United States.
There are some who believe that such
pettion. representing the sentiment Of the
great weight and possibly get the death
sentence of Sir Roger commuted to life i'm
prlsonment.
Joseph Mccarthy, of 5412 Springfield ave-
nue, at whose home Sir Roger Easement
spent several weeks during his visit to this
country In the fall of 1914, and prior to
his departure for Germany. declared he
would support the petition movement. He
said in the convicted mans behalf:
s" ut would be a good thing for the Irish
Of this country to come to the support of
one OF their countrymen in this his time
Of need. 1t is about the only thing left
for us to do and while fear II is too late
We will feel that no effort had been spared
on our part"
Sir Roger was my guest In 1914, from
the middle of July up to the time of his
departure. He was with me the day we
read OF the declaration of war by England.
II was posted on the bulletin board of the
EVENING LEDGER at Broad and Chestnut
streets. This was on Tuesday. Sir
Roger stayed at home all day Wednesday
Interviewing friends, and he had a great
many In Philadelphia.
"Sir Roger came to- America to secure
the support of Irish-Americans to arm the
Irish Volunteers. That he went to Ger
many to collect funds to further the cause
L emphatlcally a lie.
Irish America has blood as well as gold
to give to the cause of Irish freedom and
those killed today are the first of thousands
prepared to die for Ireland. This was the
uHiioC vi IL lSICBI dili tNOBeT sent 10 fIOln
hAcNeile. one of the so-called rebels now
sentenced to life Imprisonment on the oc-
tasion OF the Bachelors Walk affair, when
Irish children were shot by English SOL
fers"
Sir Roger was doing his best for Ire
hnd and for Ireland only" said Mr. Nc
Garrity. II, as we'll as other Phlladel-
phians, have had several talks with people
who saw Sir Roger in Berlin
Whatever the Germans may have done
FOR Ireland, such as the sending of the
Aud the boat that
accompanied Sir Roger to Ireland in April,
vas done solely on the initiative of friends
'f the Irish cause in Germany Sir Roger
,annot be held directly responsible for
hat.
II petition is circulated. / am sure II
zould receive the enthusiastic support of
very loyal Irlshman in this country.
iope II will do some good"
Joseph Mclaughlin, national president of
he Ancient Order of Hibernlans with n
1embership of more than 10000 In the
lnited States. declared he would support
ny action that may be taken in Sir Rogers
ehalf. A petition had not been thought |
I as yet. he said. but If one was circulated |
declared he would not only sign It but
ould urge others to do so. Whether any |
ction would be taken by the Ancient or.
n could not say until he had conferred |
ith other officers OF the order.
am VIII. .ng to lend my support TO a |
s'itlon to the English Crown asking that |
u Rogers fe be spared. Sir Roger Case
ents visit to Philadelphia in 1914 when
: was the guest of Mr.. Mccarthy, made
any friends for him here. He impressed |
as being man of high ideals and we all
gret very much to hear of his conv ctIon.
ne mas had the moral support of every
yal lrishman in this country during his
laL We have feared for the worst ever
nee the trial started AS a matter OF
et, the conv .ctlon and death sentence was
nat might be called a foregone conclu-
On, ana we have held out very little nope
his acquittal
sir Roger was convinced that he would
convicted OF high treason and said so
iore his trial. | think he knew what
sahed him at the hands of that English
y and resigned himself to his fate. How
er' While there is life there Is hope and
petition supported by thousands OF per-
rs IN this country may have the effect of
using mercy TO be shown Sir Roger"
9ohn O'Dea, State secretary OF the An
my order OF .Hibernians. Is another en-
usiastic supporter of any action that
sht De taken TO save the life OF the con-
ted Irish knight.
Yes, something should be done to save
Roger Easement" said Mr.. o'Dea. ~
Ve always felt that he would be convicted
hign treason. He never had a chance in
y English court. He was convicted be-
= the trial opened"
AS a matter OF fact. believe they
uid nave selected jury to convict him
~ though he had been tried In Ireland,
ne desired. i am sure the Irish OF this
lntry' and particularly this city. where
Roger was we'll known. would be glad
sYe their support TO a petition to the
snsh Crown asking that Sir Rogers life