The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-23
Sisters Hysterical When Re-
fused Admission to Prison.
Element of Mystery Now In-
iected in Mayors Condition.
FORCIBLE FEEDING SUCCEEDS
Relatives Excluded So Physi-
clans May Pr0lOng Life.
Sim Fein Orders Hunger
Striking Sisters to Desist.

London. Oct. 2S.-Annie and Mary
MacSwiney, sisters of Lord Mayor
MacSwiney, whose death was expected
momentarily, Joined him in his hunger
strike today.
Their action followed exclusion by
officials of Brixton prison from his
bedside because. it was explained, they
might interfere with the forcible feed
ing of the lord mayor.
Annie became hysterical after she
and her sister had been compelled to
leave the prison.
Mary and l will remain in the pris-
on yard and starve until we see Ter
ence" she told press representative.
IF we are thrown out of the yard
we will stay at the gate day and
night"
A veil of mystery today hung over
MacSwiney was entering the seventy
second day of his hunger strike.
Prison officials clamped down n
strict censorship regarding his condi-
ton. This led to the belief at Sinn
Fem headquarters here that Mac
Swiney was at least in an extremely
critical condition.
Relatives Excluded.
The lord mayors wife and brother
| failed to emerge from the prison to
give out the bulletin on his condition
at the usual time.
Peter. leaving tho prison, said the
authorities had refused permission for
any of his relatives to see the lord
| mayor since 8 o'clock
Mary and Annie MacSwiney the
lerd mayors sisters, and Father
Dominick. his chaplain. emerged from
the prison shortly before Peter and ex-
planned the officials had not allowed
them to remain at MacSwiney's be 4
side, altho his wife had been granted
this privilege.
| Prevented Careful Nursing.
The home office later informed the
press that the sisters were excluded
from the prison because they might
interfere with physicians feeding
MacSwiney during his periods Of
delirium. 1t was stated other rela-
tives had not been excluded, but their
visits would be restricted in the future
A new angle of the case developed
today in that the lord mayor now is
retaining the food administered by the
doctors, indicating that it is being as
simulated. This it is believed may pro-
long MacSwiney's life for some time.
It's His Seventy-Second Day.
The home office explained the de-
MAI of admission to the lord mayors
sisters as being due only to the belief
that their visits interfered with care
| full nursing which the prisoners deli
cate condition required.
! Lord Mayor MacSwiney's condition
continued critical" said the home Of
| flee announcement. THE scuryy has
been slightly remedied."
The Self Determination league bull
letin this afternoon. after noting that
this was the seventy-second day of the
lord mayors hunger strike, added: "It
has been impossible to issue any pre-
vious bulletins to the press because OF
the embargo placed by the home Of
flee on the relatives of the lord
mayor"
Arthur O'Brien, as official repre-
sentative of the Sim Fein. sent orders
I to the MacSwiney sisters to desist from
their hunger strike. They already had
refused to eat luncheon. The mayoress
and others also attempted to persuade
them to abandon their intention.