Evening star., 1921-08-08
new COMPLICATION
FOG IRISH SITUATION
Decision Not to Liberate Nc
Keown Endangers Peace
Negotiations.

keOWn EndangerS Peace
Negotiations.
By the Associated Press
PARIS. August S-The British
government has decided to release
John J. MsKeown, the sole remain.
ing impriscned member Of the Irish
republican parliament. 1t was an
hounced this evening by the British
delegation to the allied supreme
council session here.
BY the Associated Press.
DUBLIN, August S.-Eamon de
valera, the republican leader. discuss
sing with newspapermen>so the
case OF John ]. McKeown. declared he
oio not believe the refusal to release
Mckeown with the other imprisoned
members of the Irish republican par-
iiament represented the considered
decision of the British government. 1t
was done, he thought. by subordinates
who based their action on technicali-
ties.
Erskine Childers. who is associated
with the Sim Fein leaders, declares
~ oSuay .ne statement that no meeting
OF the Irish republican parliament
could be held until McKeown was we
ieasea was wholly unfounded. Such n
statement was published this morning
msnt.
The expectation prevails in oaici.,
circles that the reply of Premier
Lioy6 George from Paris regarding
Mcheown's case will be prompt and
favorable. N
Complications Are Grave.
LONDON, August S.-Complications
OF considerable gravity have entered
into the Irish situation, with a result
OF the governments decision not to
hberate John J. McKeown. member
OF the Irish republican parliament,
VINO is under conviction of murder,
afong with other Sim Fein leaders
VINO nave been imprisoned. An OUT
Purst Of indignant anger in the ranks
last night there were indications of
possible termination of the truce |
In ireland and the wreck of peace ne
gotiations.
There were reports in this city dur
ing the night that an immediate ter
Fein was probable. but the Associated |
Press, after a close inquiry in re-
sponsible quarters in Dublin. was un- |
able to find any authorization for |
such a rumor. The Sim Fein, how
ever, issued an official statement that |
no meeting of the Irish republican |
parliament would be held until Nc
keown was released. This was coup |
led with an expression of opinion that |
[he governments action in keeping |
in prison seemed to evince |
4 desire on the part of the British |
cabinet to end the truce. |
Fear Breaking of Truce.
arnment's action relative to Mckeown
was declared to constitute. in any
case. violation of the spirit of the
truce. and anxiety was said to exist
lest the extreme republicans in the
more remote districts of Ireland
were already broken. There was
however. no report of any attempted
" actual breach of the compact.
hough there was undoubtedly great
excitement.
The Sim Fein viewpoint is that
dckeown is entitled to the benefit
# the recognition which, it is claimed,
he government has given to the bel
igerents of the Irish republican army,
n which he was a leader. 1t is assert I
'ver the fact that he is charged with
murder of McGrath. which, it is con-
ended. was an act of war. 1t is ndled,
however, that. although McKeown
vas convicted of murder by a court
martial. and was sentenced to death.
lis sentence has not as yet been con-
irmed. There is doubt whether in
ny case he would be executed, but l.
he supposition exists that if the
ction of the court-martial should be
to long term in prison.
In Halo Of Romance. r..
McKeown. a blacksmith by trade,
> representative in the Irish repub-
lean parliament for Longford and
Vest Meath. His exploits have sur
ounded him with a halo of romance.
1hich has appealed to the imagina-
ion of the people. and. under the ap- ,
ellation Of the chivalrous black
NTH of Ballinalee," McKeown has
cen extolled IN one of those ballads
ear to the Irish in times of political
This ballad has achieved
immense popularity. and has helped
, establish McKeown on thepedestal {
E fame. The resentment of the Sim {
lin over the governments attitude
!. therefore, commensurate with the / S
dmiration of the people for him. .
rank Carly. the only other member
the Irish republican parliament I
ill iQ Mount Joy Jail in Dublin, was / i
LEASED last night. .--as 7
Lloyd George Gets Note. q
PARIS, August "a message from | h
lie Irish republican cabinet, brought
Y courier to Paris, was delivered to o
r. Lloyd George. the British prime C
mister. here today. Up to the early
'ternoon no reply had been sent. p
August 8-Fourteen |,
mn Fein members of parliament, who I
ave been in confinement in the Bally- "
inlar internment camp, were released t
day. IT
1t is announced Dy Desmond Fitz-
erald. Sim Fein minister of propa- b
anda, that all the Irish republican s
lrliament members will report them n
Ives at the Mansion House upon L
cir arrival in Dublin. T
h
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