The Irish standard., 1917-07-07
ALL IRISH REBEL
PRISONERS SET
FREE AT LAST
Set Free Observation-Disclosures Re-
joicings in Dublin and Through
out Ireland.

Set Free Observation-Disclosures Re-
joicings in Dublin and Through
out ireland.
There was great rejoicing in Dub
lin and throughout Ireland when it
became known on Friday last that
the 12O odd Irish rebellion prisoners
held in English prisons were on their
way to Ireland free men. A great re-
ception awaited them in the Irish
capitol and demonstrations of well
come greeted them in every part of
the country where the prisoners
hailed from, and bonfires and process
sions in honor of the occasion were
held in every large center in Ireland.
In making the announcement of their
release, Bonar Law said in the House
of Commons:
The government have given long
and anxious consideration to the po-
sition of Irish political prisoners and
has arrived at the decision it is now
my duty to announce:
THE government have felt, after
giving careful consideration to the
approaching session of the convention
in which Irishmen themselves will
meet to settle the difficult problem of
the future administration of their
country, that this great experiment
will mark new era in the relations
between Ireland, the United King
dom and the empire. 1t is, therefore,
desirable beyond measure that the
convention should meet in an at
mosphere of harmony and good will
in which all parties can unreservedly
join.
Nothing could be more regretable
than that the work of the convention
should be prejudiced at the outset by
embittered associations which might
even hinder the settlement to which
all look forward with hope.
I'm these circumstances the gov
eminent have decided they cannot give
better earnest of the spirit in which
they approach the convention than by
removing one of the main causes of
the serious misunderstanding of this
subject with which it is in their power
to deal. They have decided, there
fore, upon the release without reserva-
ton of all prisoners now in confine-
ment in connection with the recent
rebellion in Ireland.
No Peril Seen in Act.
'They have not, however, arrived
at this decision without careful con-
sideration of two aspects of the case
which it is impossible to ignore. They
have satisfied themselves, first, that
public security would not be endan
gered by such an act of grace, and
second, that in none of the cases con
cerned was participation in the rebel
lion accompanied by individual acts
which would render such display OF
clemency impossible.
Gin recommending to the king
grants of general amnesty to the per
sons in question, the government have
been inspired by the sanguine hope
that their action will be welcomed in
spirit of magnanimity and that the
convention will enter upon it's arduous
undertaking in circumstances that
will constitute a good augury for the
reconciliation which is the desire Of
all parties in every part of the United
Kingdom and the British empire"
All Parties Are Pleased.
The announcement was received
with general cheers.
Joseph Devlin expressed his graft
tude at the decision of the govern
ment, but thought had they been ad
vised to come to a decision earlie
they would have avoided much irrita
ton and created at a much Garlic
period the spirit of reconciliation ant
good temper which they hoped woul'
prevail in the future.
According to several of the lobb
correspondents, among the reason
for the decision Of the government
the desire to conciliate America
opinion and to perform an act Of ger
crosby to which the government wa
impelled in part by Major Redmond
death at the front.
The Sim Feiners of East Clair
have decided to contest the seat il
Parliament vacated by the death 0
Redmond. They have chosen as can
didate Edward de Valera, formerl,
professor in Dublin University ant
sentenced to death for his connec
ton with the revolt. His sentence
was committed to penal servitude TO
life. He is now released.