THE TIMES-PARNELL COMMISSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1952, 18 April 1889, Page 13

THE TIMES-PARNELL COMMISSION.

(Peb Pbess association.) London, April 10. In the course of his remarks to-day in continuing his opening speech for the defence before The Times-Parnell Commission, SirOhas. Russell, Q.C.accusedMajor LeCarbn (Thomas Philip Beach) ,of spending his life in an atmosphere of conspiracy, but that notwithstanding this he had been unable to give any warnings to the Government of any projected dynamite enterprise. Sir Charles said that Mr Parnell would deny that he ever told Major Le Caron that physical force was the only means left for --the redress of the wrongs of Ireland. Sir Charles dwelt on the utter failure of Major Le Caron to prove any alliance between the Parnellites and the real authors of crime in Ireland. It is expected that Sir Charles Russell will conclude his opening speech for the defence to-morrow. April 11. Sir Charles Russell, continuing bis openingspeech, said the sole fact adduced by the other side which in any way connected the central office of the league with complicity in crime was that cheques signed by Kenny were applied to the assistance of the Castle Island moonlighters, but it would be shown that the money was^ voted at a time when the league was quite 1 disorganised. Continuing his opening speech before the Times-Parnell Commission, Sir Charles Russel charged The Times with criminal negligence in respect to the publication of the letters alleged to have been written by Mr Parnell and others. He said he did not believe .The Times knew the letters were forged, but they were careless and reckless in publishing them in the manner they did. Sir Charles complained of the ungenerous terms in which the apology made by The Times was couched when it discovered the letters were forged. Sir Charles stated further, that without the assistance of the commission Mr Parnell would have relentlessly unmasked the conspiracy leading to the manufacture of the letters. He alleged that Mr Shannon, one of the solicitors employed by The Times, connived at Pigott's escape. April 13. The court was orowded to-day during Sir Charles Russell's address on behalf of Mr Pamela The learned counsel argued that The Times had based its charges in " Parnellism and Crime " on Eugene Davis' bogus confession, which Pigott invented and afterwards palmed off on to The Times. In making ! reference to the cheque which Mr Parnell sent to Byrne, Sir Charles Russell declared that it was sent for an innocent purpose. The commissioners have adjourned until the 30fch inst., when Mr Parnell will be examined.