New-York tribune., 1918-07-09
Prosecutor Quotes German
Promise of Aid for Re-
bellion in u. s.
Gerard's Acts Praised
Witness Declares American
Ambassadors Kindness
Saved Prisoners Lives


martial opened here to-day Of Corpora
Joseph Dowling who landed on the Irisi
Coast in German collapsible boat two
months ago and who since has been 1
prisoner in the Tower of London.
Corporal Bowling, in civilian clothes
was brought to the court in an auto
ambulance handcuifcd to Il British
soldier and accompanied by non-com-
missioned officer, armed with re
volver. Lord Cheylcsmore presided
over the court.
Corporal Bowling, who is slim ir
build, of medium height and of wide
awake appearance, pleaded not guilty
to the formal charges, which are under
three heads: First. that while he was
prisoner of war in Germany he joined
hostile force; second, that he en-.
deavored to induce others to join ;
third, that he participated in an at
tempt to land hostile force in ire
land.
Outlines German Plot
Sir Archibald Bodkin, the prosccu-
tor described at great length the Ger
man plot launched at the end of 1914
for the formation Of an "Irsh brigade, ;,
from amcng the Irish taken prisoner
on the British front. The scheme, Sir
Archibald said, was rcpudiated by most
of the prisoners, but Bowling and
few others joined the brigade and
acted as recruiting agents.
The prosecutor described the means
used by the Germans to induce Irish
men to join, and in particular the Ger
man promises to them, reading:
"At the end Of the war TIE German
government undertook to send every
member Of the Irish brigade to the
United States"
Sir Archibald Bodkin read long
dorument, issued by the Germans ut
L'mburg Camn, which said:
The Irish in America arc collecting
money for this brigade. Join the nov
uHit and win your Independence. The
i"lsh brigade is 20 fight solely for the
cause IF Ireland, with the moral and
material assistance cf the German gov
erNmen-"
Prisoners False Story
The story told by Prosecutor Bodkm
o. the arrival CT Corporal Bowling in
Ireland follows:
con April u fishermen. going out
from the harbor Of the Clare Coast,
saw a man waving a handkerchief on
an island half a mile from the shore. He
said he had been washed ashore from the
topedoed ship Mississippi during the
night. lie paid the fishermen five shill-
lngs to land him at Dallyalno Pier.
whore he gave his name as James
O'Bren, and described the torredoinc
Of 'he Mississippi with great detail,
stating that the ship came from Bal
timure.
Later in the day his collapsible
boat, Of undoubted German manufact-
ure, was washed ashore. Dowllnr had
seventy pounds of English money He
said he come from the United States
to see Irish friends before Joining the
American army.
Prosecutor Bodkin, in his address.
described the German method of deal
ing with Irish prisoners
Privileges for Dupes
Those who Joined the Irish bri-
gade,' he said, "were allowed distinc
tive uniforms, special rations and side
arms and mingled freely with the
German officers and mon. Those who
stuck to their oaths of allegiance were
treated shamefully, their latlons were
reduced and every effort was made to
punish them for their conduct. Yet
iltty-three was the total number of
recruits the Germans secured after a
iong campaign among the Irish pris-
oners.
"rhc feeling against Bowling was
very strong among the loyal prisoners.
and on one occasion he was handled so
roughly that the German sentrics had
to come to his assistance"
Prosecutor Bodkin declared the whole
story told by Bowling regarding the
circumstances Of his landing and the
purpose of his visit was untrue. as
bowling later admitted
Visited by His Brother
He was brought to London" con-
tinued the prosecutor, land deta med at
the Fewer, where his brother visited
nm. He told his brother that he came
IN submarine. If he should now trv
10 explain that he came in the char
acter. of an escaped prisoner. our an
s"er is that escaped war prisoners are
not provided with passage IN German
submarines"
The first witness called was a British
soldier, Jo ohm Cronin, a former prisoner
at Llmburg. He described a visit he
pald to Sir Roger Easement when the
latter was attempting to raise an Irish
brigade in Germany. Easements
efforts, he testified, were assisted bv an
lTlsh priest named Father Nicholson.
VINO was frequent visitor to the
camp.
We should all have been dead but
Tor the kindness Of Ambassador Co
rard," testified Private O'Sul,iyan.
formerly prisoner at Limburg, durjnr
the afternoon session. owe vera
actually starving and naked whom AR
Gerard visited us and secured us
supply OF parcels and clothinp from
England. We would have starved hut
Tor tins. as the Germans cut the "a.
tions down twice as a punishment for
1alllng TO Join Dowling's Irish legion"
Prlvate O'Suilivan further testified
that Corporal Bowling, in his recruit
ing attempts, was several times ac-
companled by q man in civilian
clothes, who posed as a prominent
lrlsh-Amerlcan and who declared tba
movement had the support of irish
Americans.
bowling and this man, the witness
sald' declared the Irish Brigade would
humper loO,oO0 men, who would he
landed IN ireland and would be as
sisted there by large German force.
NeV York Mans Name
Among Ccnodffoy,Wo,,rJaJ