The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-10-29

ions. also IL was added. among learned
cardinals and other prominent features
In the church. with whom he had dis
cussed the situation and therefore had
laid the problem before the congregation
or holy Office, which settles questions of
iaith and morals and judges heresy.
There was no indication as to when a
the Lord Mayor. 1t was evident that any
action In that direction by the king
would bc against the advice Of his min
| listers.
Demands On King.
The newspapers published many edi-
toriels and letters setting forth. on one
nand. that King George should not be
embarrassed by direct appeals to him
and. on the other hand. that he should
have and had the right to exercise his
nominal constitutional power Of pardon
ing.
The Weekly Nation. which is one of
the most advanced liberal organs and
not generally rated as a supporter OF
monarchy. argued that this was an oc-
casion for the king to vindicate his
country against the growing autocracy
OF the cabinet.
There were many other arguments to
the same effect one historical writer,
combating the theory that the king al
ways had been cipher in such matters.
British monarchy. telling how George
~ described by Thackeray as the
weakest and least admirable charter in
the line OF British kings. used to pace
the council chamber with tears pleading
for tho pardon of criminals and some-
times Garry his point. although once
when he wrote to the Viceroy OF Ire
land granting pardon to a murderer he
wa COMPELLED by his cabinet to cancel
One Of the chief reasons put forward
by MacSwtneys advocates, although ad-
vocated from anti-Sinn Fem quarters.
swiney was convicted were SO compar-
atively light they did not justify his suf-
fering even though voluntarily. Prem
Ter Lloyd Georges reply was that Mao
Of tSs aisS rspSSs.n hsh ahe
decreed and executed murders OF offi-
Gals and police in Ireland. The repub-
lican army. unlike the Slim Fem. Is
purely q secret organization. The iden.
tity Of its officers and personnel is kept
from the public and there IL doubt even
whether the Slim Fem controls 1t or Of
hcially knows its workings.
Priests Were Criticized.
The theological argument over the
course Of Bishop Colahsn and Macswin-
ey's chaplain. the Rev, Father Dominic.
In, as critics say, encouraging him to
commit suicide; was largely biblical. The
only priest who publicly criticized them.
A lecture which he was to deliver in
Glasgow, center OF labor uniontsm.
had TO be cancelled on account Of the
him. go .
The human aspect OF the lord mayors
hunger strike was the one that chiefly
interested British people and compelled
iitical enemies. Mrs lfacswiney and his
brothers and sisters Were treated every
whore with respect and on their side
had nothing but good 70 say Of the jail
ers and people with whom they had to
deal
Any way out OF Mscswiney's i'm
prtsonment except his death would have
boen welcomed by the whole public but
his family were as firm as MsoSwmey
release or death: There can be no
doubt the Irish republicans believed
Macswiney had given their cause the
most valuable service In his power aRd
you more than ever when you have
nailed his coffin down."
GUILTY OF sedItlon.
MaoSwinsy's hunger strike was begun
associates. he was arrested by soldiers
In Cork while attending q session Of
sinn Fein court. After trial by a court
martial under the regulations OF the De-
guilty OF. sedition and sentenced to two
years Imprisonment. which he was serv-
ing In Brixton Prison In London.
Maoswiney, then an alderman OF Cork.
q special session Of the Cork corporation
on March 90 of this year. He was
wen Unknown Slim Fein leader and. prior
to his election. had been deported and
latest notable instances OF his conflne-
ment having been In 1915 in connection
with the Irish Easter revolt.
When arrested on August Ia, MacSwin-
L. ut~ HrflvY
the back of the city hail. which soldiers
had surrounded. but was captured put
side. He was taken to the military bar.
racks and came up for trial on August
Of having control Of the cecret cipher. of
having in his possession a document
likely to cause disaffsction. namely
COPY Of a resolution OF the Cork corpor.
alton pledging allegiance to the Dsl
ment.. and Of having made seaitious
speech on the occasion OF his election.
Refused All Food.
Already weak at the trial rbscause Oh
puted the jurisdiction OF the court, say
ing: at am the lord mayor OF this city
and it's chief magistrate. !! declare this
court Illegal and those taking part IN
II liable to arrest under the laws Oh INC
The day following his trial. Lord May
or Maoswiney was deported to England
aboard n destroyer, uuQcr u HSANy tuhi-
tary escort and was lodged In Br1xton
fail. The government announced on
Aurust 10, that he was sentenced TO TWO
years imprisonment.
MacSwiney's hunger strike brought
numerous solicitations and protests 70
the British authorities. many of the eH-
peals being from sympathisers IN Sns
frnited States. Even a threat from the
sinn Fein in Ireland. that, IN the event
Of his death, a general strike and serious
disturbances would prevail throughout
the island An appeal was taken directly
to the king but this also proved unavah-
ing. 49, ,o-s-
mayor received numerous messages 9t
announcement and gao petiuons 70
abandon his strike. He replied 70 the
latter that II he gave up his hkht ne
would give away Irish liberty ana
that ne would rather die than DO mat
Replying to reports that sustenanee
vas being given Mayor MacSwiney. tne
british home Office declared II he 70
being fed we do not know II. while
members of MacSwiney's family denied
categoricaliy that food had been gwen
him. 49, /.
brother of the Lord Mayor, is an OIL
cisi of the American Commission for
irish Independence.
Angersd BY TrIokery.
fvvthin the past week, when IL began
- 49, - 1nr