The sun., 1919-09-29
DEPORTED HERE
BY BRITAIN; FREED
Naturalized Irishman, Prisoner
on Mauretania, Held at
Ellis Island.
TELLS OF PERSECUTION
Arrested Many Times in Ire
land, Business Ruined and
Money Taken.

William Pedlar, who was born in Ire
land thirty-four years ago. naturalized
In Philadelphia in 1915. and who had
returned to Dublin with an American
wife to operate a stationery store, yes
terday at Ellis Island received his free
dom after having been made prisoner by
English authorities and deported to this
country. Pedlar arrived Friday on the
Mauretania. Friends arriving at the
dock Friday night and Saturday were
not permitted to see him. 1t was stated
yesterday Thereupon they solicited the
aid Of Alfred ]. Talley, chief Assistant
District Attorney, who effected a hear
ing for Pedlar before a special board of
inquiry yesterday.
According to Mr.. Talley, he went to
the pier at Fourteenth street of the
Mauretania upon hearing of Pediare
predicament and demanded to see the
captain. He was referred to the first
officer, a Mr.. Rogers, who informed him
he would be fined $1,000 II he permitted
the man to escape.
Pedlar told in Mr.. Talley's office
sensational story OF many imprisonments
in ireland. He came to New York. he
said, In 1910, married an American girl
of Irish descent and had three children.
one of whom, John, was born recently in
Ireland.
Shortly after my marriage" said
Pedlar, II went to Philadelphia and
worked for James McGarrity of 144
North Third street, who was one OF the
witnesses of my naturalization certif-
cate. In 1916 l went back to Dublin and
started little stationery business in
that city. Shortly after the Easter re-
bellion in 1916 was arrested with 1000
other men and women and was never
given a trial or informed of what l had
been accused. was sent to Wansworth
prison in London and was confined there
six weeks. The food was scant and we
were not allowed to communicate with
our families or friends"
Pedlar says he then was transferred
to a prison In Wales, from which he was
released without trial or hearing in
June, 1916. He returned to his home,
but four weeks later again was arrested
and sent to town in England charged
with being an Irish Rebel and interned
with others in small area. When II
was learned they were reading up on
Irish history In library, he says. the
band was shifted to Fairford, Glouces-
ter County. where they were billeted on
the people of the village for four months.
Then he was permitted to return home
He says he had no money, for railroad
fare and had to work his way back.
II had year OF respite them he
continued. 81 again went into the sta
tionery business, but in May, 1918, was
arrested on a charge Of drilling in a
hall. When brought before q mags-
trate refused to recognize the right Of
an English court to try me and was
sent to Belfast Jail for FIVE and a half
months. I was released in November
and went back to my family and my
business"
Pedlar says that on September 1s he
was again arrested and taken 10 South
ampton. where he was placed on the
Mauritania. a prisoner. The police. he
claims, took 1913 pounds sterling from
him and laughed when he asked for it
back II do not know why I was ar
rested" he says. "and feel that shall
never get my 1913 pounds back again.
My business in Dublin is ruined. Friends
won't let my wife and children starve.
shall get them here as soon as l can"