Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-25
Former British ConsularI
Ofcer Taken when
G erm an Ship Was
Sunk Trying to Land
Arms in Ireland
FRIENDS BELIEVE
HE is SUFFERING
MENTAL TROUBLE
Sensational Reports of
His Activities Against
England-Applied for
Citizenship in Bavaria

London April 24.-10.25 P. M.-Sir
Roger Easement has been captured
from German ship which attempted
to land arms in Ireland and was sunk.
This official announcement was made
tonight as follows:
During the period between the af-
ternoon Of April 20 and the afternoon
of April 81. an attempt to land arms
and ammunition in Ireland was made
by vessel under the guise Of a neu-
trail merchant ship, but which in real
ity was German auxiliary, in con-
junction with a German submarine.
THE auxiliary sank and a number
Of prisoners were made, among whom
was Sir Roger Easement"
The news OF the capture Of Sir Roger
was received with satisfaction mingled
with regret at the termination of what
previous to his alleged activities with the
Germans had been a brilliant career, use
full both to humanity and his own coun-
try. That he should have engaged in
such a madcap enterprise as the British
official communication gives as the reason
for his seizure is considered as lending
color to the view held by his old friends
here that he is mentally unbalanced.
Little had been heard of Sir Roger in
this country for many months. Last Oc-
tober a returned Irish prisoner reported
that Sir Roger had visited the prison
camp at Limburg and vainly tried to in
duce Irish prisoners to join an Irish bril-
gade which he was said to be raising in
Germany to fight against England. It
tod
Roger had applied for citizenship in Ba-
varia- Later came report from a neu-
trail country that he had been arrested
in Germany on an unspecifed charge.
Sir Roger Easement before the out
break Of the European war was in the
British consular service, having held
posts in Portuguese West Africa. the
Congo Free State, HAITI San Domingo
and Brazil.
In November, 1914, it was reported
that Sir Roger, who was the leader Of
the separative faction in Ireland. had
gone to Berlin and conferred with the
German imperial authorities his inten-
ton, it was said being to open nego-
tIations between the German govern
ment and the anti-English party in
Ireland.
Assurances were said to have been
given to Sir Roger that should German
troops land in Ireland. all native in
vestments would be respected by them.
Sir Rogers followers in Ireland were,
according to the report, to give every
aid to the Germans. The report Of his
activity in Germany created a sensa-
ton in England and in February. 1915.
Sir Edward Grey announced in the
House Of Commons that Sir Rogers
pension as a former member Of the
consular corps had been suspended
pending an investigation Of charges Of
disloyalty against him.
1t was Sir Roger who, In 1912. while
CONSUL general at Rio Janeiro, made a
report of the torturing and killing Of
natives Of Brazil by employees Of the
British company operating the Putu-
mayo rubber fields. AS result Of his
report a British royal commission
headed by him investigated the situa-
ton and brought about reforms in the
treatment Of men employed in the in
dustry.