Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1916 — CASEMENT MUST DIE [ARTICLE]

CASEMENT MUST DIE

LEADER OF IRISH REVOLT FOUND GUILTY BY JURY. Sir Roger Stands Up Well Under Btow —Soldier Arrested With Him Exonerated. London. June 30. —Sir Roger Casement was found guilty of high treason in the high court of justice. The jury was out only 50 minutes, Immediately after the verdict was returned Casement was sentenced to death by Baron Reading, the lord chief Justice. As the verdict was announced. Casement stood up bravely under the blow. He evidently had entertained little hope from the beginning of the trial, Sir Roger, who was arrested in April while trying to land arms and ammunition in Ireland for the rebels, was placed on trial last Monday. Sir Roger addressed the court, reading his final statement with the explanation that lie hoped it might reach a much larger audience than the one before him, and particularly in America. He declared that a trial before a jury of Englishmen was unjust. He said the jury should have been Irish. Sir Roger’s auditors, among whom' were Viscount Bryce and many others of prominence, listened in silence. Many were moved to tears.

“I saw no reason why Ireland should shed any blood for any people but her own,” said Casement in his statement. “Self-government Is our right. It is no more a thing to be withheld from us or doled out to us than the right to life or light.” Throwing aside his manuscript, Sir Roger said: “My lords, I have done. Gentlemen of the jury, I wish to thank you for your verdict. I mean no reflection upon you when I say this was not a trial by my peers.” The chief justice in his charge to the jury said: “Treason in time of war, when all persons are making sacrifices to defeat the common enemy, is almost too grave for expression,” he declared. He concluded by sentencing the prisoner to be hanged. Daniel Julian Bailey, the private soldier who was arrested with Casement, was exonerated of the high treason charge against him by the verdict of the jury. He was ordered discharged by the court.