The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-08-25
LLOYD GEORGE
WILL NOT FREE
MAYOR OF CORK
Liberty Denied Irish Lead
er Az He Nears Death
From Hunger.
Lucerne, Switzerland, Aug. u.s.

Lucerne, Switzerland, Aug. 25.-
Premier Lloyd George, in a state
ment today concerning the case of
Lord Mayor MacSweney Of Cork,
whose condition is grave because OF
his hunger strike in Brixton Jail,
London. said in substance, that
whatever the consequences, the
government could not take the re-
sponsibility Of releasing MacSwe-
ney.
The premier declared he regret
ted that MacSweney, had decided to
starve himself, but said that if he
were released then all the other
hunger-strikers would have to be
released.
Law No Respector Of Persons.
"a law which is a respector of
persons is no law" Mr.. Lloyd
Georges statement continued. If
the cabinet. therefore departed
from its decision a complete break
down of the machinery of law and
government in Ireland inevitably
would follow"
"The release some weeks ago OF
hunger strikers in Ireland was fol-
lowed by an outburst of cruel muir
der and outrage"
The premier cited the crime for
which Lord Mayor MacSweney was
convicted and said it indicated he
was concerned in a conspiracy
against the constabulary, who are
the defenders Of order in Ireland.
Mr.. Lloyd George declared it was
the governments duty to protect
these brave men.
Threaten Lie Of Premierp
London, Aug. 2-(United Press)
Sim Fein officials, who have new
er failed to carry out the sentences
imposed by their courts" will con.
denim to death all persons implicat-
ed in the expected death Of Terence
MacSweney, lord mayor Of Cork
they declared today.
While refusing to specify whom
they regarded as responsible. the
officials inferred that Preimel
Lloyd George and members OF his
cabinet "are liable"
| Members of the Irish republican
government and of the Cork corpor.
alton visited Brixton prison last
night, where MacSweney is neal
death from a two weeks hunger
strike. He is serving q two-yeal
sentence for sedition.
"If MacSweney dies. We will con.
slider it murder" one Of the SIM
Feiners said, the others concurring
THE Sim Fein courts will try al
persons implicated. They will b.
sentenced to death il found guilty
of aiding or abetting the lord may
or's murder. The sentences will b,
carried out, no mattr how high tht
officials involved. Presence Of thu
accused in court is not necessary.
| Mary MacSweney. sister Of thu
lord mayor, has telegraphed Lloyt
George in Lucerne, declaring tina
her brothers relatives and thu
people OF ireland will hold you re
sponsible in the event Of his death.
Sees Vito Last Time.
The lady mayoress visited he
husband last night. MacSweney
who was sinking rapidly and near
ing Inconsistencies. asked that h
be be allowed to take look q
her, "as l may not see you the mex
time"
Terence was terribly weak AMI
his eyes we're clouded but he toll
me he would not regret death II !
were helpful to Ireland" Mrs. Mac
Sweeney told reporters.
"He said he grieved for me, bu
told him / would not have mar
ried him II I had not known he wa
not a coward. I love him for hi
principles and his loyalty to Ire
land"
A thousand former soldiers gath
cred outside the prison last nigh
and staged a demonstration 70
MacSweney's release.