THE PARNELL COMMISSION
» [Per Press Association.] Lokdok, February 27. Before the "Times "-Parnell Commission to-day Mr Parnell was examined and deposed that the letters produced, alleged to be signed by him, were forgeries. The witness was not cross* examined. Up to the present no reliable evidence has been adduced before the " Times "- Parnell Commission connecting the leading members of the Parnellite party with outrages. It is believed that the " Times " hopes, with the assistance of Government, to bring pressure to bear on the imprisoned dynamiters and Invincibles to give evidence to show that they were connected. Parnell is being urged hy his friends to prosecute the "Times" for conspiracy. Londok, February 28. In a leading article this morning the " Times " apologises to Messrs Parnell, Egan, Davitt, and O'Kelly for the chaages made against them m connection with the letters. It pleads that it was the victim of unscrupulous men, but was not a party to any conspiracy. At the " Times "-Parnell Commission to-day Sir R. E. Webster produced a letter received by Mr (Shannon, one of the solicitors employed by the " Times," from Paris, and it was believed to, be from Plgott, though the address was not- in his handwriting. Sir Jas. Hannen opened the letter, which was found to be dated 28rd insfc. Pigott's confession to Messrs Labouchere and G. A. Sala was enclosed, and was dated ff Hotel dv Monde, Tuesday." In his letter Pigott said he would write further, Barnell had sent his Private Secretary, Campbell, to Antwerp, to search for Pigott. The confession states that the st--^. ment as to the interview wi& Eugene Davies at Lausanne was untrue. Pigott admits that he forged Parnell's and Egan's letters, by placing the genuine letters which he had received from them against the window and writing the forgeries, over certain phrases, and also the signatures. He further admits having copied Davitt's pencil manuscript, and also O' Kelly's old private note on the voyage to Araerioa. The story about J. J. Breslin, member of the L Ei.B. an 4 Hospital Superintendent of Biohmond Gaol, Pigott says was fictitious, and he owns to having deceived Houston, and Pigott acquits Mr—(query, Mr Labouchere ?) of the change of attempting to bribe him. Sir K. E. Webßter said the «■ Times " had relied absplufcly on Pigott's veracity, and he admitted that his evidence waa worthless. The •« Times " had been the victim of imposture, hut he denied there had been any conspiracy behind, and the paper, he said, would make reparation at the proper time and plage, Sir Charles Bussell regretted that only a qualified reparation had been made, and again asserted that there was conspiwioy behind Houston, which hewas a determined to unearth. He did not intend to hint that the " Times '* was concerned m the conspiracy, but meant that the Patriotic Union and others supplying the funds were concerned m it. He requested the Judges to make special reports exonerating Mr Parnell from the charges, Sir R, E. Webster did not crossexamine Mr Parnell, but said he had deoided to call Campbell and Davitt before the Judges reported their de* oision. Pigott will be extradited from France on the charge of perjury. The post mortem examination on the witness Maguire, who died suddenly while waiting to give evidence hefoxe the Commission, shows that the supposition as to his having committed suicide is incorrect, and that death resulted from natural causes. The American Senate has passed a motion expressing sympathy with Mr Parnell. In the action brought m Ireland by Parnell against tho "Times," defendants are opposing the jurisdiction of the Dublin Court, (Received M«roh 1, 12,38 p,m,) THE « TIMES " APOLOGY. Londoji, February 28. The " Times " m apologising for the publication of the celebrated letters says that they were firmly believed to be genuine until Pigott's avowals m the box. Pigott was not the person who placed the documents m their hands, although he was the source of supply. Jt protests against the attempts made to hold the Government and the Unionists responsible for acts which were exclusively those of the a Times." The " Standard " says Mr Parnell I ought to explain why he compelled I Parliament to establish a eueoial , ° tribunal ■ ,:T- - I .""'ic M \9
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG18890301.2.12
Bibliographic details
Ashburton Guardian, Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2076, 1 March 1889
Word Count
703THE PARNELL COMMISSION Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2076, 1 March 1889
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