The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-08-08
IRISH SOLON
TO Be FREED
INDICATION
Impression Prevails In London
Official Circles that John ].
McKeown Will Be Released
Erin Angered.'
TRUCE is ENDANGERED
(By Associated Press,

LONDON, Aug. 8.-While no definite
pronouncement could be obtained this
forenoon regarding the case of John
j. McKeown, member of the Irish Re
publican parliament, the impression
was given in official circles here that
he would be released with the other
Sim Fein members who have been in
prison.
II was intimated that the decision
10 retain him in prison as announced
on Saturday. came from Dublin castle,
and was not the ruling of the British
cabinet, which had not rendered
decision in the matter.
II was pointed out that the Irish
prisoners were being progressively re-
leased and here again the guarded
intimation was given that the case of
McKeown will be reached in due
time.
Keeps Close Touch.
II is understood Premier Lloyd
George now in Paris for the supreme
council meeting, it is keeping in close
touch with the Irish situation and a
courier who is reported to have been
sent by Eamon de Valera to Mr. Lloyd
George from Ireland, is believed to
have gone on from this city to the
French capital on his mission. The
understanding is that the settlement of
the McKeown case is entirely in the
hands of the premier.
The opinion is expressed in official
circles that while the ends of Justice,
in the official view, would be met only
by the execution of this prisoner it is
highly probable that the premier, in
the higher interests of peace, may
consent to his release.
Complications of considerable grav-
ity entered into the Irish situation as
result OF the governments reported
decision not to lberate John J. Nc
Keown, member of the Irish repub-
lican parliament, who is under convic-
tion Of murder, along with other Sim
Fein leaders who have been imprison-
ed. An outburst of indignant anger in
the ranks of the Sim Fein was caused,
and last night there were indications
Of possible termination of the truce
In Ireland and the wreck of peace
negotiations there.
Truce Endangered.
There were reports in this city dur
ing the night that an immediate ter
mination of the truce by the Sim Fein
was probable, but the Associated Press
after a close inquiry in responsible
quarters in Dublin, was unable to find
any authorization for such a rumor.
The Sim Fem, however, issued an
official statement that no meeting of
the Irish Republican parliament would
be held until McKeown was released
This was coupled with an expression
of opinion that the governments ac-
ton in keeping McKeown in prison
seemed to evince a desire on the part
OF the British cabinet TO end the
truce.
In some Sim Fein quarters the gov
ernment action relative to McKeown
was declared to constitute, in any
case, a violation of the spirit of the
truce and anxiety was said to exist
lest the extreme Republicans in the
more remote districts of Ireland might
start acting as though the truce were
already broken. There was, however,
no report of any contemplated or ac-
tual breach of the compact, though
there was undoubtedly great excite
ment.
Sim Fein Stand
The Sim Fein viewpoint is that Nc
Keown is entitled to the benefit of
the recognition which it is claimed
the government has given of the bel
ligerent status of the Irish Republi-
can army, in which he was a leader.
1t is asserted that there is general
resentment over the fact that he is
charged with the murder of District
Inspector McGrath, which, it is con-
tended, was an act of war.
II is noted, however, that although
McKeown was convicted of murder
by a courtmartial and was sentenced
TO death. his sentence has not as yet
been confirmed.
There is doubt whether in any case
he would be executed, but the suppo-
sition exists that if the action of the
courtmartial should be confirmed the
sentence would be commuted to a
long term in prison. McKeown, a
blacksmith by trade, is representa-
tive in the Irish Republican parlia-
ment for Langford and Westmeath.
His exploits have surrounded him