The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-08-09
UNCERTAINTY AS
TO RELEASE OF
JOHN M'KEOWN

London. Aug. While no definite
prunuunCement could be obtained this
forenoon in regard to the case of John
j. MrkeOwn member of the Irish re-
publican parliament, the expression
was given IN official circles here that
ho would be released with the other
Slim Fem members who have been in
prison.
Il was minated that the decision
ip retain him in prison as announced
saturday, came from Dublin castle,
mud Mas not the ruling OF the British
cabinet. which had not rendered a de
isinn in The matter.
% was pointed out that the Irish
prisoners were being progressively
released and here again the guarded
animation VAS given that the case of
NrK,oNn would be- reached in due
time.
90 WAS understood Premier Lloyd
Source. nua in Paris for the supreme
council meeting. is keeping in close
tuufh with the irish situation and a
'nafitr vino is repurted to have been
"nt hy Eanann tle Valera to Premier
LlUyd Grurge. for Ireland. is believed
"a have gone on from this city to
D" Frcnrh capital on his mission.
rho understanding is that the settle
mani Of the McKeown ease is entire
a IN The hands of the premier. The
opinion is expressed in official circles
thar while the hands OF justice. in
the official view. would be met only
IN tho execution OF this prisoner. il
is highly probable that the prime min
s.. a..
may consent TO his release.
Mckeown. a blacksmith by trade. is
representative in the Irish republican
parliament for Longford and West
Meath. Ills exploits have surrounded
him with a halo Of romance, which
has appealed 10 the imagination of the
people and. under the appelation Of
The Chvalrous Blacksmith of Bali.
males" Mckeown has been extOlled in
one of these ballads dear to the Irish
in times of political excitement. This
ballad has achieved immense popular.
ity and has helped To establish Nc
keuwn ON the pedestal of fame
Situation Complicated
London. Aug. S.-Complications of
considerable gravity have entered in
to the Irish situation with result of
the governments decision not to lib
crate John j. McKeown, member of
the Irish republican parliament, who
is under conviction of murder, along
with other Sim Fein leaders. who
have been imprisoned An outburst
of indignant anger from the ranks of
the Sim Fcin has been caused and
last night there were indications OF
possible termination of the truce
in ireland and the wreck of peace
negotiations. There We're reports in
this city during the night that an i'm
mediate termination of the truce by
the Sim Fein was probable but the
Associated Press after close in
quiry in responsible quarters in Dub
lin was unable to find any authorize
tion for such a rumor The Sim Fein
however, issued an official statement
that no meeting of the Irish repub-
lican parliament would be held until
Mck"own was released This was
coupled with an expression of opinion
that the government action in keep
ing Mckeown in prison seemed IL
evincc a desire on the part of the
British cabinet to end the truce.
Lloyd George Gets Message
Paris. Aug. S-A message from the
Irish republican cabinet brought by
courier TO Paris, was delivered to
Mr.. Lloyd George, the British prime
minister here today. Up to the early
afternoon no reply had been sent.