New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-29
Sir Roger Causes Surprise
by Making Statement
from Dock to Jury.
NEVER ASKED MEN
TO AID THE TURKS
Fight for ireland His Only Re-
SUBSTITUTION to Quash In
dictment Refused.
lBy Cable 10 The Tribune J


London, June pa surprise was
sprung in the crowded court to-day,
when, before Sergeant Sullivan had
opened his case for the defence, SIR
Roger Easement arose in the dock for
the purpose of making statement TO
the Jury. This is contrary to Engllsh
procedure. which only allows pris-
oner to make a statement just before
sentence is passed upor him, unless
he takes the witness stand. HIS &C
ton indicated to all present that
Easement had no intention OF giving
evidence in his own behalf.
Lord Reading carefully explained TO
the jury that, as the statement was
not made under oath. the prisoner
could not be cross-examined thereon
Easement was painfully nervous while
speaking, twisting document WIN
one hand, then the other, and several
times almost breaking down from
emotion, while part of his statement
was almost inaudible.
Sergeant Sullivan, whose voice
failed after a long speech yesterday
was unable to speak this morning
After speaking two hours TINS aItel-
noon his voice again went Dack on
him and court adjourned early. mere
is every indication now that the end
Of the trial will b. reached to-mor-
row evening.
When Sergeant Sullivan broke down
he was painting a picture OF the
wrongs he declared were suffered by
ireland, and maintaining that the
prisoner had committed no treason
when he attempted 20 raise an lrlsh
brigade in Germany for the purpose
of protecting the rights of the people
Of ireland against unlawful tyranny.
Defence Loses Main Point.
Earlier in the day the justices had
overruled the motion of the defence
TO uuash the indictment, on the
ground that the statute under which
il was drawn did not provide for the
trial Of a man who committed trea-
son outside the realm. The effort to
establish this was admittedly the
prisoners main defence. IL was an
nounced that no witnesses would be
produced in his behalf. mainly be-
cause such witnesses must be secured
in Germany. and this was not per-
mitted.
With the failure Of this move, Sir
Roger himself was called by his at
torneys to make his statement to the
Jury. II was fiat denial that the
knight had worked in the interests
of Germany or that he had accepted
German gold as a bride. The state
ment follows:
"My lords and gentlemen of the
jury, I desire TO say few words,
only with reference to some illusions
made By the prosecution.
AS to my pension and the honor
of knighthood conferred upon me, |
shall say one word only. The PEN
sion ! had earned by service rendered.
and it was assigned by law. The
knighthood it was not in my power
TO refuse.
Denies Four Charges.
But there are in especial four
misstatements. given in the evidence
against me, which | must refute.
First, never at any time advised
lrishmen to fight with the Turks
against the Russians or to fight with
the Germans on the Western front.
Second. never asked an Irishman
to night for Germany. have always
claimed that he has no right to fight
for any land but ireland.
Third. the horrible insinuations that
! got my own peoples rations reduced
10 the starvation Toin: Because they
did not join the Irish brigade is an
abominable falsehood. The rations
were necessarily reduced throughout
Germany, owing TO the blockade, and
they were reduced for the Irish pris-
oners at exactly the same time and 70
the same extent as for the German sol
diers and the entire population of Ger
many. The other suggestion that men
were sent to punishment camps at my
instance for not joining the Irish bril-
gade is one that ! need hardly pause to
refute. II is devoid Of all foundation.
Fourth, gentlemen. there is the wide
spread imputation of German gold |
owe it TO those in Ireland who are as
sailed with me on this very ground to
nail the lie once and for all. II was