New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-27
Mustered Irish Prisoners
for Home Rule Fight,
His Defence.
COURT CROWDED
AS TRIAL OPENS
Prisoner, Faultlessly Attired,
Betrays No Emotion-Sol-
diers on Stand.
BY ARTHUR S. DRAPER.

Roger Easement for high treason began
this morning in the small, crowded
courtroom Of Viscount Reading, the
Lord Chief Justice, assisted by Justices
Avory and Horridge.
The points brought out by the cross
examination Of the crowns witnesses
showed that the defence will contend
that the prisoner was raising an Irish
brigade among British prisoners In
Germany 10 fight Ulstermen for Home
Rule at the close Of the war. The plea
of insanity will not be advanced by
counsel for the defence.
Governments Indictment.
Sir Frederick Smith, the Attorney Gen.
eral, made the opening address for the
government He dwelt on the gravity
of high treason and said the jury would
have to decide whether there were any
extenuating circumstances, or whether
the offence was an aggravated one
against the sovereign he formerly
served and the country against which
he struck"
Reviewing the public career of Sir
Roger, the Attorney General said he
was ian able, cultivated man. not, as
others had been, lifelong rebel against
England and that for which she stands
Prisoner Calm.
II was difficult to realize that the
bronze bearded nobleman, sitting in the
prisoners dock, his long, slender fingers
weaving in and out of his silken beard,
clad in braided black morning suit, had
played the leading part in the rebellion
which swept over Dublin nearly two
months ago. His heavy eyebrows, deep
sunken eyes and bearded face hid oil
signs of emotion which are ordinarily
observable in prisoners.
/ 1t is plainly evident that he follows
every word Of testimony, but gives no
| hint of how ii affects him. Occasion
ally he yawns, rubs his nose, buries his
/ face in his hands, then stretches out IN
/ his chair.
Soldiers on Stand.
Great expedition marked the first day
of one of England's most famous trials.
/ The jury was completed within an hour
after the opening of the trial, and seven
witnesses testified during the day
Nearly all the witnesses are prisoners
of war who have been exchanged be-
cause of being seriously disabled. With
one exception they quoted Easement as
saying that an Irish brigade would be
landed in ireland, Immediately follow
ing the first German naval victory, and
that also If Germany was beaten the
members of the Irish brigade would be
sent TO America, given $50 TO 800, and
assured of job there. They all quot
ed Easement as saying that England
was practically beaten, and that In Ger
many Ireland had the strongest power
/ in the world at her back.
An exception, however, was Private
John Neal. who appeared as witness,
still wearing the gray uniform and red
tie Of the wounded. He testified that
he heard Easement say that he was
forming an Irish brigade with the pur-
pose of first helping the Turks against
the Russians, and, second, aiding Ger
many against the British, ana many
shedding their own blood for could Ire
land"
Prisoners Defence.
The defence brought out the admis..
sion that he couldn't fix the date OF
Easements speech and then confronted
him with the statement that he made
to the War Office representative, in
which he swore that he heard Easement
speak only once. and never saw him
again.
One-armed Corporal o'Connor caused
considerable laughter when he testified
that Easement called the prisoners who
Kissed and booed at him followers OF
John Redmond"
Michael Doyle, Easements American
occupying seat with the defence law
yers, is playing a silent part In the
court proceedings, allowing the other
members of the counsel for the defence
to present objections and challenge
witnesses and jurors. -,
II is anticipated that the trial VIII
erd within the week, probably by
Thursday evening.