Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-10-26

porter OF monarchy AfB4rA lAlA~ eA@-~
was an occasion for the King 70 VIM
dictate mis- constitutional right and
protect the country against he grow
ing autocracy of the cabinet
There were many other arguments
TO the same effect one historical
writer, combating the theory that
the King always had been cipher IN
such matters exhumed = new story
in the annals OF British monarchy.
telling how George " described by
Thackeray as the weakest and least
admirable character in the line Of
British Kings. used to, pace the coun-
ell chamber with tears pleading Tor
the pardon of criminals and some
times carry his point although once
when he wrote 20 the Viceroy OF Ire
land granting pardon to murderer
he was compelled by his cabinet 20
cancel his edict-
One Of the chief reasons put for
ward by .AfacSwiney's advocates, al
though advocated from anti Sinn'
Fem quarters. was that the offease5
of which aIacSwiuey was convicted
were so comparatively light thay did
not Justify his suffering even though
voluntarily Premier Lloyd Georges
reply was that MacSwiney undoubt-
eddy was high officer OF the Irish
Republican army which decreed
and executed murders of officials and
police in Ireland The Republican
army unlike the Sim Fem is pure
ly secret organization. The iden-
tity of its officers and personnel IS
kept from the public and there IS
doubt even whether the Sim Fem
controls it or officially knows its
workings
The theological argument over the
course Of Bishop Coiahan and Mac
Swiney's chaplain. the Rev. Father
Dominic, in, as critics say. encour-
aging him TO commit suicide was
largely biblical The Rev. Father
Bernard Vaughn was the only
priest who publicly criticized them
A lecture which he was to deliver in
Glasgow. a center of labor unionism,
had 10 be cancelled on account OF the
unpopuIarity his words brought upon
him
The human aspect OF the Lord
Mayors hunger strike was the one
that chiefly interested British peo-
pie and compelled the sympathy OF
even his hardest political enemies.
Mrs. MacSwiney and his brothers and
sisters were treated everywhere with
respect and on their side had nothing
but good TO say OF the jailerss and po-
lice with whom they had TO deal
ANY way out OF MacSwiuey's i'm
prisonment except his death would
have been welcomed by the whole
public but his family were as firm as
AacSwiney in refusing to listen 10
any end except release or death.
There can be no doubt the Irish Re
publicans believed MacSwiney had
given their cause the most valuable
service in his power and that. like
John Brown he will trouble you
more than ever when you have nailed
his coffin down"
NacSwiaeys hunger strike was
begun on August II when with ten
by soldiers in Cork while attending
a session of a Sim Fem court. After
trial by a court martial under the
regulations of the Defence of the
Realm Act, he was found guilty of
seditiou and sentenced TO two years
imprisonment, which he was serving
in Brixton Prison in London
MacSwiney. then an Alderman of
Cork, was elected Lord Mayor of the
city at a special session of the Cork
Corporation on March 80 of this year
20, all -
leader and prior to his election, had
been deported and imprisoned sew
erai times, one OF the latest notable
instances Of his confinement having
been in 1915 in connection with the
irish Easter revolt
When arrested on August Il Mac
Swiney managed to escape to the
street from the back OF the City
Hall, which soldiers had surrounded.
but was captured outside. He was
taken TO the military barracks and
came up for trial on August f6 The
court martial found him guilty of
/ having control of the secret police CT
pher. Of having in his possession a.
document likely to cause aIsaffection.
namely. copy OF a resolution OF the
Cork Corporation pledging allegiance
to the Dali Eireann, the Irish Repub-
Iicau Parliament, ard of having
made a seditious speech on the oc-
casion of his election.
Already weak at the trial because
of his refusal to take food. MacSwi-
ney disputed the Jurisdiction of the
court. saying: Il am the lord mayer
Of this city and its chief magistrate
declare this court Illegal and those
taking part in it liable TO arrest an
der the laws Of the Irish republic"
The day following his trial. Lord
Mayor MacSwiney was deported to
England aboard a destroyer. under
heavy military escort and was lodged
in Brixton Jail. The government an
nounced on August 10 that he was
sentenced to two years imprison-
ment.
MacSwiney's hunger strike brought
numerous solicitations and protests
to the British authorities. many of
the appeals being from sympathizers
in the United States even threat
from the Sim Fem in Ireland that.
in the event of his death. general
strike and serious disturba noes
would prevail throughout the island
An appeal was taken directly To the
King but this also proved unavailing
During his imprisonment, the Lord