The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-10-25
Recalls Other Cases.

Recalls Other Cases.
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.
1 telling how George " described by
Thackeray rs the weakest and least
admirable character in the line OF
British kings. used to pace the coun-
Gil chamber with tears pleading for
the pardon of criminals and some
times carry his point, although once
when he wrote 10 the ViCeroy of Ire
land granting pardon TO Il murderer
he was compelled by his cabinet to
cancel his edict.
one OF the chief reasons put for
ward by MacSwiney's advocates, al
Though advocated from anti Sim
fein quarters. was that the offenses
Of which MaCSwiney was convicted
were so comparatively light they did
not justify his suffering even though
voluntarily Premier Lloyd Georges
reply was that MaCSwiney undOubt-
eddy was a high officer Of the Irish
republican army" which deCreed and
executed murders OF officials and po-
lice in Ireland The Republican army,
unlike the Sim Fen. is purely a Sc
Crct organization, The identity OF
it's officers and personnel Is kept
from the public and there Is doubt
even whether the Sim Fein controls
it or officially knows its workings.
The theological argument over the
course of Bishop Colahan and Mac
Swiney's chaplain. the Roy Father
Dominic in, as critics say, enCourag- !
ing him to commit suicide. was large ; |
~ biblical. The Rev. Father Bernard !
Vaughn. was the only priest who |
publicly criticized them. A lecture |
which he was TO deliver in Glasgow, |
center OF labor unionlsm, had to |
be Cancelled on account of the un-
popularity his words brought upon
him.
The human aspect of the lord
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 moth
ing but good to say of the jailers
and police with whom they had to
deal.
Any way out Of MacSwlney's i'm
prisonment except his death would
have been welcomed by the whole
public, but his family were as firm
as MacSwiney in refusing TO listen to
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
lis coffin down"
Within the last week, when 1t be-
yan to appear the lord mayor was APP
lroaching the end, he was given
inuid nourishment by the prison doc
ors during periods OF unconscious
ness
This fact appeared in statements
~ both the Irish Self determination
eague, which had been issuing regu-
ar bulletins on MacSwiney's condl-
ion. and by the home offlce. me
eague's statement showed the lord
mayor as becoming extremely IN
lignant upon regaining conscious
less and realizing that he had peeh
ed ,,,.,.
They tricked me, and l didht
now IT," he exclaimed.
The leagues bulletin oct. Il con"
aimed this statement:
"It should be made clear that the
neat extract given the lord mayor !
lring his delirium on the 69th day {
Z his fast was the first nourishment
which had passed his lips since ms
rrest on Aug T.. ,
With regard To the theological as
eets Of the lord mayors hunger
trlke and that OF the Irish prisoners I
, the Cork jail who began a similar
bstention from food shortly before
lac Swiney's fast started, 1t was
tated in Rome dispatch oct II ,
hat Pope Benedict had referred the
roblem Of these hunger striking priS- ;
ners to the congregation or the holS
ffce.
His holiness had received many
rgent appeals to make some pro-
regarding these cases
rom persons of opposite Viewpoints
nploring the ponttft to reach ala
letricallv opposed decisions on abe
,,cstion whether the deaths of the
risoncrs as a result Of their hunger {
trike would make them suicides.
lie had found widely divergent )
Jews also, it was added among !
armed cardinals and other prom :
,cut figures in the church with !
HON he had discussed the situation, )
Nd therefore had laid tho problem I
eforc the congregation of the holy
fftcc. which settles questions OF
Nth and morals and Judges hcrcsy.
here has been no Indication rs to
hen decision might hc expected
'om that body
The first death among the hunger
.rtkers occurred on Sunday oct H.
hen Michael Fitzgerald ono Of the 5
striking prisoners in the Cork jail =
lcCumbed TO the results Of his self !
uposed fast. He had tasted IS !
avs. Several others Of the Cork +
risoners are declared 10 he in
'itcal state.
7100E7 DAICC I