New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-03
Easements Plans Upset
by Vigilance Of Navy

Honored with kn ighthood title
since taken from him by King George 3
order for his many years OF service
for Great Britain as consul and consul
general, Roger Easement assumed lead
ership. at a period Of his country
crisis. IN the recent Irish rebellion, the
plans for which were laid while Case
ment vas IN Berlin. where he was re-
Dor. 3D. 10 have negotiated an under
standing with the German imperial au-
thorities.
British naval supremacy brought an
abortive close TO Easements plans. ne
German tramp steamship on when
there WAS transported an armed eXpe-
dition from Germany nearly 10 me
west coast Of ireland in April OF TINS
year was blown up by its own crew
when the latter foresaw that 70 was
inevitable that the blockading English
warships would capture IT. The crew
we're made prisoners. The tramp nad
been conveyed from kiel By German
submarine, from which Easement ana
companion landed on Irish SOIL, "nere
they were taken into custody before
their plans matured.
In Nav Easement received a prellml-
nary hearing and was committed ior
trial on the charge OF nlgn treason
Late in June the trial was begun, Case
ment pleading not guilty and uttering a
denial that he had worked m Germar} 5
interests and that ne had accepted
German gold as a bride.
The courts verdict was guilty ana
the sentence of death by hanging was,
after appeal by his counsel, connrme q
b. the Court of Criminal Appeal late
The London press generally approved
the fate legally fixed Tor easement
but in America persistent efforts were
made 70 save the notd prisoner from
death. In Washington resolution was
adopted in the Senate requesting fres-
ident Wilson 10 transmit 90 n" n
government an expression OF hope that
il would exercise clemency DO the case
of all the Irish prisoners.
In England THE Manchester Guard
ian" and "A number OF other papers
pleaded for mercy, and petitions ask
ing for a reprieve we're circulated u,
London. Adherents Of John Redmond
forwarded TO Premier Asquith a pell-
ton signed By six bishops, twenty-slx
members OF Parliament and ffty-one
other persons, including number OF
educators.
Pope Benedict interceded in Case
ment's behalf. endesvorng 20 obtain
grace for him from the British govern
ment. influential Irish Nationalists hav-
ing urged upon the Pontif that the
prisoner was not traitor but was M
spired by Irish patriotism.
Roger Easement prior TO the war es-
tablished a reputation through his m
vestigation OF the Congo ana south
American rubber atrocities committed
on natives by Belgian and British rub
her hunters. The then Sir Roger head
cd commission Of inquiry which
brought about reforms In 1913 he be
came actively identified with the or
ranization OF the Irish national vol
unteers. He was IN the United states
wben the war began and addressed an
omen letter to the Irish press advising
Irishmen 70 remain neutral
I'm October. 1914, he went 10 Nor
wav and thence to Berlin, whence came
the news that startled the world Case
ment was plotting what his counry
looked upon as high treason HIS
friends. recalling mis- years of service
in Africa and South America, claimed
for him that the tropical sun had I'M
balanced him mentally. Easement was
born on September /. 1864.