The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-15
SAY MACSWINEY
LIVES BY MIRACLE
Continued from First Page.

fast records. 1t was asserted that all
twelve of the hunger strikers are SUBJ
ject to the same unprecedented care
All of them were hard" and in good
health when they began their hunger
strike. None OF them were ''fat" men
and none OF them were subject to any
special complication.
Arouses New speculatfons.
Hence, If the fasts' are bona fide the
problem resolves Itself into how long
their blood streams will be relieved OF
every task, as we'll as from every
nourishment which would sustain the
spark Of life. 1t is like speculating on
how long wheel with perfect bearings
and perfectly fabricated would revolve
when every resistance and every adverse
impulse were eliminated. Also It raises
interesting speculations regarding what
material energy is consumed in the
course of the non-material processes of
intellect and will. 1t gets into the nebu-
lous border where ideas originate and
where the metaphysical and the physical
meet, the region Edison hopes to sound
with a machine to tap spirit messages,
Supernatural Intervention In the Mac
Swiney case Is not excludable. He Ia a
deyout Catholic and receives the sacra-
ment daily. Here. however, It must be
said that the wafer OF the communion
Is entirely too small to constitute any
considerable element Of nutrinent.
Those devout Irish who believe that
MacSwiney's cause is as sacred as he
himself believes 1t to be do not hesitate
to assert that God is specially sustain
ing him.
Even the most fervid of his friends
among the London priests, however, ex-
press this more as a devout hope than
as belief. They admit there is not
sufficient evidence to warrant the theo-
logical GERTRUDE such as Is necessary
to constitute a miracle. Persons who
believe politically with MacSwiney say
that undoubtedly God 10 rewarding his
noble fortltude, while persons politically
opposed to him say 1t may be either
psychologist or diabolic aid he is re-
ceiving. Opinion cleaves the same lines
over whether he Is committing suicide.
Doubt Rests ON Suspicion.
In the face of all these circumstances
It must be said that the belief that he
Is being fed rests only on general sus-
picion and untraceable report, while re-
ports that his fast is bona fide rest on
statements by persons who are in q po-
sition TO know, but who are interested
in the effect their statements have upon
the cause for which they are ready to
maka anv eacriffce
MacSwiney's actual condition was de-
scribed to THE NEW YORK HERALD cor
respondent to-day by Art O'Brien, Sim
Fein representative in London and Mac
swiney's personal representative, who
last saw the Lord Mayor Of Cork on
Saturday.
'MacSwiney's mind is active and clear,
but his body is practically dead" he
said. There is no movement of his
hands and only the slightest movement
ofehis head. 1t is necessary for one to
place his ear directly over MacSwiney's
mouth to hear what he says. His speech
is infinitely slow and labored, but per-
fectly intelligent and clear. The light
In his eyes Is ghostly. His voice is his
only sign of life. He always had thin
face, and I can't say he looked ex-
tremely drawn and thin, although his
weight has gone off 80 per cent He IS
disturbed as little as possible and he Is
getting perfect care.
IT can definitely assure you he is not
getting the slightest nourishment."
MacSwiney says he suffers little pain
now. He passes long intervals without
sleep, which Is very wearing on him.
However, even this fatigue is softened
by gently reading amusing and not tax
ing books to him.