Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-08-08
Early Report,

LoHuon, aug. 6--Whtle no definite
pronouncement could be obtained this
j. Mckeown. member of the Irish {
republican parliament, the impression
was given in official circles here that
he would be released with the other
Slnn Fein members who have been in
prison. ~. d. - =
It was intimated the decision to re-
tain him in prison as announced Sun
day came from Dublin castle and was
not the ruling of the British cabinet,
which had not rendered decision in
the matter. ~ IS
It was pointed out that the Irish
prisoners were being progressively
released and here again the guarded
Mckeown would be reached in due
time. Il$
It is understood Premier LLOYD
George, now in Paris for the supreme
council meeting. is keeping in close
touch with the Irish situation and a
courier who is reported to have been
sent by Eamonn de Valera to 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
or the Mckeown case is entirely in
the hands Of the premier.
The opinion is expressed in official
w
in the official view would be met only
BY the execution Of this prisoner it ia
highly probable that the premier, in
the higher interests OF peace, may
consent to his release.
Held for Murder.
John j. McKeown. member Of the
| Irish republican parliament, is under
| conviction Of murder. An outburst Of
indignant anger in the ranks of the
| that the government would not liber-t
ate him, and last night there were
fkldicau6ns OF a possible termination
1 or the truce in Ireland and the wreck
| OF peace negotiations.
j Ihere were reports during the
night that an immediate termination
of the truce by the Sim Fein was
probable, but the Associated Press,
after close inquiry in responsible
quarters in Dublin. is unable to find
any authorization of such a rumor.
The Sim Fein, however, issued an Of
hcial statement that no meeting Of the
Irish republican parliament would be
| held until McKeown was released.
4 Entitled to Benefits.
The Sim Fein viewpoints that Nc
keown is entitled to the benefit of
I the government has given of the bel
ligerent status Of the Irish republican
4 army, in which he was a leader. It
is asserted chat there is general re-
sentiment over the fact that he is
charged with the murder Of District
Inspector McGrath, which it is con-,
tended. was an act Of war. It Is
noted. however, that although Nc
Keown was convicted OF murder by a
! court martial and was sentenced to
death, his sentence has not as yet
| been confirmed.
McKeown, a blacksmith by trade, is
| representative in the Irish republican
| parliament for Longford and West
meth. His exploits have surrounded
him with halo of romance, which
has appealed to the Imagination Of
the people. and under the appelation
of the "chivalrous blacksmith Of Bal
| linalee" McKeown has been extolled
in one Of those ballads dear to the
Irish in times OF political excitement.
This ballad has achieved immense
popularity, and has helped to estab-
lish McKeown on the pedestal Of
fame. Frank McCarty. the only other
member of the Irish republican par
lament still in Mount Joy jail in Dub
lin, was released last night
Belfast. Aug. s.-(By the Associ-
\ ated Press a)-Fourteen Sim Fein
members OF parliament who have
been in confinement In the Bally Min
lar internment camp were released
today.
1t was announced by Desmond Fitz-
gerald Cirn Feiny yninicfep RI ,,rnno.