The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-06-16
AMNESTY GRANTED
TO IRISH REBELS
BOnar Law Tells Commons
Of Government Act.
NO EXCEPTIONS ARE MADE
Desire to Bring About Harmony Is
Declared Cause.

LONDON, June 1s.-AII the prison.
ers taken in the Irish rebellion of
Easter Sunday, 1916, will be released
without reservation. This announce
ment was made in the House of Com
mons today by Andrew BonAr Law.
who said the government felt that
by so doing 1t would aid in the sue
cess OF the approaching Irish conven-
ton, which the government hoped
would effect a reconciliation among
Irish political parties. In making
the announcement, Mr.. Bonar Law
said:
THE government has given long
and anxious consideration to the posi-
ton OF Irish political prisoners and
have arrived at the decision II now
is my duty to announce.
THE government have felt
after giving careful consideration to
the approaching session of the con-
vention in which Irishmen themselves
will meet to settle the difficult prob
lem of the future administration Of
their country. that this great ex-
pertinent will mark a new era in the
relations between Ireland. the United
Kingdom and the Empire. II Is
therefore desirable beyond measure
that the convention shopld meet in an
atmosphere OF harmony and good will.
in which all parties can unreservedly
Join. Nothing could be more regrets
table than that the work OF the con-
vention should be prejudiced at the
outset by embittered associations
which might even hinder the settle
ment to which all look forward with
hope.
Release General.
an 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 misunderstand-
ing OF this subject with which It Is
in their power to deal. They have
decided, therefore, upon the release
without reservation of all prisoners
now in confinement in connection
with the recent rebellion in Ireland.
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 securely would not be en-
dangered by such an act Of grace,
and, second, that in none OF the cases
concerned was participation in the
rebellion accompanied by individual
acts which would render such q dis
- IL KE,nnnaafh1a
"In 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
q spirit OF magnAnimity and that the
will enter upon its arduous
in circumstances that
will constitute a good augury for the
which Is the desire OF
all parties in every part OF the United
Kingdom and the British Empire.
Bonar Law Cheered.
Mr.. Bonar Laws announcement was
received with general cheers.
Joseph Devlin expressed his graft
tude at the decision of the Govern
ment, but thought that had they been
advised to come to a decision earlier
they would have avoided much irri-
tation and created at a much earlier
period the spirit OF reconciliation
and good temper which they hoped
would prevail in the future.
Herbert Samuels. for the English
Liberals; George J. Wardle. for the
Labor members; Eugene Wason. for
the Scottish Liberals. and Ellis Crit
nth, for the Welsh members, express
ed cordial approval OF the action Of