Episode 2 - Triumph in the Amazon

By the early years of the twentieth century, Roger Casement has become known for his humanitarian work exposing the atrocities of the rubber industry in the Congo. But other causes he supports are much closer to home. In 1904 he helps organise the Feis na nGleann in Cushendall – part of a resurgence of gaelic culture at the time. It re-awakens Roger’s Irish identity dating from his youth spent on the north coast of County Antrim. However, he is soon called back to his work in the British Consular Service and is appointed consul-general in Rio de Janeiro. Just as in the Congo, the rubber industry in the Amazon region uses indigenous people to gather the raw material it needs – with similarly catastrophic results. But the company behind abuses of local people is British and Roger is made part of an official Commission of Enquiry to investigate its activities in the remote Putumayo region. The scale of the abuse and murder of local people he uncovers is greater even than that in the Congo. But this time he is more politically savvy. He knows the government cannot ignore a commission is has set up and he systematically puts witness testimony before the other members. What is happening in Putumayo becomes undeniable and the report he writes finally forces the government to act. Roger is awarded a knighthood and Arthur Conan-Doyle even bases one of the characters in The Lost World on him. But Roger’s political aims in Ireland are coming to the fore. He addresses a public meeting in Ballymoney, County Antrim, arguing passionately against the Unionist leader, Edward Carson and his Ulster Volunteer Force. As Britain and Ireland slide inexorably towards World War One, Roger is being drawn into actions which will change his life for ever.