29 DECEMBER 1917, Page 12

THE TREATMENT OF PRISONERS: A CONTRAST. (To TER EDITOR or

me " SPECTATOR:1 SIR,—Perhaps people in England are not aware that the Govern- ment have now issued Regulations by which all persons convicted Of offences against the Defence a the Realm Act in Ireland are

permitted special privileges. They are placed in comfortably furnished rooms, and separated from other prisoners; they are not compelled to do any work; they may have food, wine, and tobacco sent iota them by their friends; they are allowed to receive visitors and carry on their ordinary occupations; to write letters and re- ceive letters, books, and newspapers daily. These Regulations apply to the men who were convicted at Cork of throwing stones at ant seriously wounding the women who were employed at the munition works, when on their way home in the evening. Meanwhile Captain Bowen-Colthurst, who is perfectly innocent, is being treated as a criminal at Broadmoor. I see excellent letters in the Spectator every week, but there the matter ends. Last June, when the Government announced their intention of releasing the Irish murderers, English Members of all parties cheered loudly. Is there not one of them who will come forward now and speak on behalf of an unfortunate man who is being tortured in order to

please Irish rebels?—I am, Sir, Ac., UNIONIST.