Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-26
LONDON. June 90.

LONDON' June 20.
Sir Roger Easement, who was arrested
while trying to smuggle arms and ammu-
milton into Ireland for the Sim Fen nsur-
rectlon. was placed on trial in the High
Court of Justice today, accused Of high
: treason.
When the indictment had been read and
Sir Roger was asked how he would plead
he arose in the dock and in loud, firm
voice replied;
mot guilty"
Sitting with Easements counsel was
Michael F. Doyle, of Philadelphia, an
American attorney who was retained by
Sir Rogers sister and who is acting in an
advisory capacity.
The prisoner presented far different ap-
pearance from that which characterized him
when he was arraigned in Bow street court
for his preliminary hearing, At that time
he wore a wrinkled suit of tweeds, his
shoes were unlaced and his beard and hair
were uncombed and ragged. When Sir
Roger took his place in court today he was
faultlessly attired in a frock coat and wore
q fresh white collar and black neclitie
PRISONER CALM
His hair and beard had been trimmed
and were carefully combed The prisoner
was calm and composed and smiled as he
nodded to friends among the spectators
The intense public interest in the trial
and the famous prisoner was shown by the
huge crowd which gathered outside the
court seeking admittance. only ticket hold
ers however were permitted to enter the
room Alterations had been made in the
courtroom TO accommodate the large num-
ber of persons whose official connection
with the case made their presence neces-
sary In addition 10 counsel and wit
nesses and newspaper correspondents,
special panel of $50 talesmen had been
summoned In the centre of the dock was
q big array of counsel, their gowns and
wigs giving a picturesque touch to the
Presiding at the trial are Baron Read
ing. Lord Chief Justice of England, and
Justices Avory and HOrridge. No sooner
had the judges taken their seats than the
clerk called out:
"The King versus Easement
TESTIMONY BEGINS.
Immediately Sir Roger, escorted by two
Uardens. entered the prisoners dock. Soon
after the trial was opened counsel for Case
ment made a technical objection to the in
dictment asking that it be dismissed but
the objection was not entertained.
1t had been reported that Easement would
Mead guilty throwing himself on the
mercy of the court, but the developments
showed that no such action had been CON
templated The trial Of Daniel j. Bailey,
ment from Germany. and who is also ac-
cussd of treason, will follow that Of Sir
Roger.
Attorney General Smith made an exhaus-
tive opening statement, recitng Easements
10 years in the consular and other services,
his thorough familiarity with Government
methods and consequently his great personal
RESPONSIBILITIES Easement listened appar-
emily bored. He yawned several times while
Smith was talking.
John Tilley, chief clerk at the Foreign
Offiee was the first witness He identified
q statement of sir Rogers political record
as taken from the files OF the Foreign Of
ace John Cole, pension examiner, testi-
fed regarding the dates Of Easements
vouchers
Private John Cronin, of Cork who was
eartured by the Germans and imprisoned at
Limburg testified about Sir Rogers efforts
70 organize an Irish brigade among the
Irish prisoners TO be landed in Ireland to
fight for Irish independence, on crossex-
animation of Cronin, Solicitor Sullivan gave
the first inkling of what the defense may be.
He attempted to draw the admission from
Croniu that Easement was enrolling a bri-
gade to fight against the Ulster volunteers,
landing In ireland after the war.