New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07
Husband of Maud Come,
Irish Joan dare" Suf-
fers Extreme Penalty.
FOUGHT FOR BOERS
SIXTEEN YEARS AGO
Joseph Plunkett Married One
Hour Before Facing the
Firing Squad.

Dublin. May st was officially an
nouneed to-day that Major John Nc
Bride, one Of the leaders Of the Sim
Fein rebellion sentenced by court mar
tial to death, had been shot. Mcbride
is the eighth rebel leader to suffer the
extreme penalty. Thomas Hunter and
William Cosgrave. sentenced TO death
with Mcbride, had their sentences com
muted to life Imprisonment
Major John Mcbride fought through
out the Bocr War with the Irish Bril-
eade. under General Joubert. When the
Beers finally surrendered he made his
escape and took refuge in Paris, where
he later married Miss Maud Come,
known in Home Rule circles in Ireland
as the Irish Joan OF Arc In 1905 Major
and Mrs. Mcbride delivered a series Of
lectures in the United States on Irish
politics. On their return 10 Paris Mrs.
Mcbride sued for divorce, and was
granted q legal separation, with the
custody of her child. Mcbride made
allegations Of statutory offences against
his wife. which were shown in court to
be false. The French judges believed
her testimony as to his friendliness
with other women.
Justice is being dealt out TO the Sim
Feiners on the pure facts proved by
incontestible testimony regarding their
active participation in the recent re-
heUion. Suspicion is not enough Tor
court-martial TO condemn any man,
and vengeance for the killing OF SOL
diers or the destruction Of property
does not enter into the minds Of the
military Judges. There is no dragon
ing to death" Of the rebels.
Court-Martial Described.
Tho Associated Press was placed in
rosition to-day to obtain hrst-hand IN.
formation Of the entire system OF
charge. evidence, trial and sentence IN
me cases of the men captured IN the
course Of the hghting or who surren-
dered after the collapse Of the rising
As soon as a rebel falls into the hands
Of the authorities his identity Is estab-
Iisbed and the evidence is recorded Of
the circumstances in which he was
taken. The reports OF the officers and
soldiers concerned in the capture are
written down. The prisoner - placed
i'm confinement Then a preliminary IN
cuiry is held and lawyers draw up the
charge.
The next process is the formation of
field general court-martial, OF which
three are sitting in order that cases
may be disposed of rapidly. Zach
court is composed Of three superior
army officers. Only one OF the nine
Judges participated in the suppression
az the rebellion. so 1t cannot be alleged
that the officers acting as judges VIII
hring prejudice 70 bear arising from
heir personal feelings IN the matter.
Before the prisoner is brought before
the court the charge formulated against
him is read TO him in full by an oiticer
;p order that the accused may prepare
% defend himself against such charges
when facing the judges
No Legal Defender.
lie has no legal defender. but should
81. desire 20 call witnesses the court
Immediately sends for them to TESTIFY
.H complete freedom.
The court sits n a barrack room,
unsurroulded By the wigs, gowns or
ceremonial Of the usual civil courts.
reading of the charge. Then comes the
testimony for the prosecution, after
(which the prisoner pleads IN defence
II ne wishes, or admits his guilt.
n The Judges then consider the facts
and deliver judgment. Should sentence
bn rebel be the supreme penalty OF
death. a. has been the case m mum.
Der Of instances, the prisoner rs asked
Whether there arc any relatives or
biends he would like to see. II so,
they Immediately are brought to ms
pigce of confinement. lie also is per
mitted TO have the services Of clergy
man. who remains with him until Just
before the sentence is carried out.
Meanwhile the judgment rs Land be
fore Sir John Maxwell, the commander
i'm chief in ireland. for confirmation
General Maxwell is very humane, but
he has a strong will combined with a
judicial mind and a strict sense OF