Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-10-25
BRITISH ARRESTED
MacSWINEY AUG. ~

Lord Mayor MacSwiney was the sec
ond mayor of Cork to die a violent
death, his predecessor in Office, Mayor
MacCurtain. being murdered in his
home at night by unknown assassins.
Several of the men. said to have heen
implicated in the murder. have been
slain by the Sim Fcin. Iic was also
the second Cork hunger striker to die.
Michael Fitzgerald having succumbcd
some days ago.
MacSwiney was arrested on August
II. charged with scdition. When he
was thrown into prison he at once
started his hunger strike. and since
that time to the hour of his death he
has refused to eat. although food was
placed before him regularly.
He was tried by court martial on
August 16. and convicted for having
in his possession a copy OF the resolu
tion of the Cork Corporation, plcdging
loyalty to the Irish republic. He was
sentenced to two years in prison.
On August II he was deported to
England on board a destroyer and con-
fined in Brixton prison. where he died.
Here he continued his hunger strike,
refusing all offers of food.
Deluged With Pleas
When 1t became evident that his per-
from many sources were sent to Pre-
mier Lloyd George to release him, and
thus spare his life. The premier re-
fused. The British cabinet was
swamped with requests for clemency,
and many sessions were held TO discuss
MacSwiney' s case, aud the Irish cause.
The cabinet refused to bulge, and he
was left in prison.
Then appeals were sent to the rulers
of other countries. President Wilson
was asked TO intervene. Secretary Of
State Colby was also requested to use
his influence. Both steadfastly re
fused to interfere, as MaSSwiney was
not an American citizen. Then ap-
peals were sent to the nominees Of the
parties in the presidential race. Seua
tor Harding and Governor Cox. Irish
sympathizrrS throughout the United
States held meetings and addressed
pleas to Lloyd George on MaCSwincy's S
behalf. France was urged to use its
influence to help the Cork mayor.
Other nations were also ashcd to inter
yene.
Pope Benedict was importunpd to
ask for MacSwincy's rc'caso. 1t was
reported that hc had asked the British
premier to let him 60.
An appeal was sNut also to King
\Georgc. His highncss show cd n dispo.
Nition to aid MacSWincy, bur was pre-
vented from using klngly ClNmeucy by
government
One Of the method used to obtain
clemency with effect in the nitcd States
was the calling OF strikes OF stevedorcs
10 tie up British shipping. While some
measure OF success followed this under
taking, the British ships sailed practi q.
cally on time. The strike spread from
New York to Boston, and into Canada
where the Quebec longshoremen quit.
Another method tried In an effort 10
bring the British Government to reuIize
the force of public sentiment against It's
: treatment of MacSwincy was q boycott
the release Of MacSwincy.
Officer in Irish Army
Mayor MacSwiney was prominent in
the Sim Fein councils. aud held the
post of brigadier in the Republican
for MacSwiney, held this Organiznti ion
responsible for the murder of Irish po D..
lice, and placed some of the blame on
its brigadier.
The Sim FCin, in answer TO this plea
declared that the Republican army, not
its leaders, was responsible for the
government of Ireland.
Mrs. MRcSwiney has been loyal to her
husband in his resolve to die rather
than acknowledge British right to rule
in ireland. She has been indcfatigable
in her pleas to other nations to aid in
releasing her husband She sympathized
with his ideals. and not for an instant
did she urge him to surrender. She has
been a frequent visitor at BriXton jail,
and was rcconcilcd to his end, what
ever II was. His brothers and sisters
have been constant in attendance.
MacSwiney's last message to his
brother Peter. in New York, gives
his views of martyrdom; "In life or in
death. the victory is ours. In death
we shall be even greater. This makes
US. and in our trust in Him We shall