New-York tribune., 1919-06-16
Men and Women Are Beaten
by Guards and Soldiers
Without Provocation, Says
Report to the Conference
Many Denied Jury Trial
Rail Refused in Most Trivial
ases;Prisoners Go Insane;
Children Among Victims
Ne,p York Tribune
European Bureau


tro,x-isht 1919 New York Tribune Inc)
LONDON, June 15.-The report of
the Irish American mission, which has
been prepared for presentation to the
neace conference, is being published,
in part. by the British press, long ex-
tracts appearing in "The Daily News"
and in "The Times" Though treating
a wide range of subjects, including
education and employment, the chief
interest centres in the following from
the report of the American delega-
tion's visit to Mountjoy Prison in
Dublin:
1--WE found a great number of cells
underground, too narrow for human
occupation, without beds or covering
for the prisoners, with no ventilation,
mitch dark and extremely cold, al
though the weather was not severe.
The chief warden admitted these cells
we're at times occupied by prisoners.
Our information from we'll authenti
Gated sources is that a large number
OF political prisoners were taken out
from the underground cells after we
had demanded admission the night
previous.
In Solitary Cell
1--WE found one political prisoner
still in solitary confinement. He pre-
sented a pitable spectacle. The miser
able cell was cold and badly venti-
lated The prisoner was unkempt,
highly nervous and palpably under
nourished He had wild glare in his
eyes indicating an extremely danger
Gus mental state. He tried to speak
to us, but was quickly silenced by the
warden.
"The political prisoners in this Jail
are journalists, lawyers, business men,
skilled tradesmen and laborers. Many
of them, confined for months, have not
been informed of the charge against
them. All of them have been denied the
right of trial by jury. When charges
were made-often of the most trivia
character-bail was denied. Of the
thousands OF German prisoners we
have seen in France none showed the
wretched physical condition or coun
tenances so marked with pain as the
prisoners at Mountjoy.
Gas were were leaving the prison we
were attracted by shouts in the rear OF
the main hall of the prison. Looking
around we saw Pierce Beasley, one o1
the political prisoners and Irish
journalist of the highest standing and
one of the most beloved men in Ireland
being hustled through the back door
way by hurley prison guard.
"Beasley called OUT Il want to call
Your attention to the fact that this
brute who has me in charge is about
to punish me for saying, Long live the
republc!"' We Immediately protested ID
against the assault on Beasley. The
governor of the prison fastened back
to where the men were, and after
hurried conversation with the guard
returned and said We could be assured
no punishment would be inflicted upon
Beasley."
The following specified charges have
been made within the past few months
"At least ten citizens have been
killed by soldiers and constables under
circumstances which in the majority
of cases coroners' iuries would find
to be wilful murder under the laws OF
England.
Hundreds of men and women have
been confined for months in the vilest
prisons without charges being pre-
ferred against them.
"At least five men died as a result
OF atrocities perpetrated upon then
while in prison, post -mortem examina
tons in some cases disclosing marks ot
violence upon the bodies of the vic
tins.