The New York herald., 1921-08-08
TRUCE REPUTATION
FEARED In IRELAND
Refusal of British to Liberate
One Man Under Death Sem
tence Brings Crisis.
AMNESTY Is GENERAL
McKe0wn, Member of Irish
Parliament and Army Lead
er, Stumbling Block.
BIZ ne Assoelatea Fress.

DUBLIN, Aug. 7.-Repudation of the
truce between England and Ireland is
considered possibility should the Brit
ish Government persist in its refusal to
liberate John McKeown, a member OF
the Irish Republican Parliament who is
under conviction for the murder of Dis
trict Inspector McGrath. Responsible
Sim Fein leaders identify themselves
with McKeown's act as part of the war
and consider refusal to release him as
indicating want of good faith on the
part OF the Government
Gen. Sir Nevil Macready in command
OF the British forces in Ireland, recently
had a conference with Premier Lloyd
George, and responsibility for the pres
ent situation in connection with Nc
Keowns imprisonment Is considered by
the Sim Feiners to rest on him.
Strong efforts are being made tonight
by influential persons not connected
with Sim Fein. who fear consequences
injurious to peace. TO secure reversal
of the Governments decision. 1t is re-
ported that a special envoy has been
sent to see Premier Lloyd George.
After the last elections for northern
and southern Ireland the Sim Fein
party, anxious for the establishment
of national assembly embracing all
parties in Ireland. resolved to consti-
tute the Dali Eireann from every man
elected, including members of the
Orange party and of Trinity College.
The Sim Feiners therefore issued in
vitations to all those elected. asking
whether they desired TO join in the as
sembly They received replies only from
ai n
they then decided to send invitations
only to those persons who then ind ted
their willingness to join the ma lal
body. Thus the Dali Eireann will on
sist of 1872 persons who accepted the
invitation
1t is expected that all Sim Fein mem
bers of the Irish Republican Parliament
now in prison will have been released
by tomorrow except McKeown.
Though the opening of the Parliament
is some time off, the immediate release
Of the prisoners was decided upon as
necessary TO afford them opportunity
to confer with their colleagues.
The newspapers generally say that the
good effect of the Governments freeing
the prisoners has been marred by MAX
ing an exception ia the case of Nc
Keown. The murder for which he was
tbHNlCtcu WAS the SnOOllHB Ol DisIflct
Inspector McGrat,h during fight in
which the Inspector tried to shoot him.
Mckeown also was the organizer OF
several ambuscades in County Longford.
in which members OF the Crown forces
were blown up by mines. At his trial
several British officers testified in be-
half Of McKeown. saying that they re-
ceived good treatment while held captive
by him. The sentence Of death has not
received the confirmation OF the Com
m nesrdn~-ir-chief as yet ~
Mckocwn was the cummandant of the
Irish Republican army in his district and
his acts were Endorsed by his chiefs.
Hence his detention in prison while
others are permitted their freedom is
regarded by the newspapers as indefensi-
BILE. All the men are TO be relased un-
condtionaily. No paroles have been
asked for or given.