THE GREAT LIBEL ACTION.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7122, 19 July 1888, Page 5

THE GREAT LIBEL ACTION.

STATEMENT BY PARNELL. [per press —SSCK—ation.l Receive- Jury 18th, 10.30 p.m. London, July 7. In the House of Commons Mr Parnell declared that the letters produced at the trial of the libel action against The Times, and purporting to be signed by him, were forgeries. The Press expresses the opinion that the denial is valueless, and challenges him to disprove the letters. Received July 18th, 10.50 p.m. London, July 9. The solicitor who appeared in Court on behalf of O'Dounell, declares that every step taken in the recent action against The Times was first submitted to Mr ParnelL In the House of Commons, to-day, ISx Parnell applied for the appointment of a Select Committee to-enejuire into the authenticity of a letter produced at the recent trial. Mr W. H. Smith refused to grant the request, stating that Parliament was incompetent to deal with such charges while the Courts were available. Mr Parnell thereupon gave notice to move that a Committee be appointed. Received July 19th, 1.20 a.m. Lokdon, July 7. The Pall Mall Gazette, referring to the disclosures in The Titnes libel; action, challenges the Government ;to move for Mr Parnell's e_puL_on from I the House of Commons. | London, July 9. Mr Davitt, speaking at Glasgow, ehallengeid hie opponents to prosecute him and Mr Parnell on charges of murder and conspiracy, as the only course to properly s_t the charges levied against them. He admitted that the subordinate leaders of the League bad committed grave crimes, but denied that Parnell or his followers were guilty. He regretted the crimes which had been committed, and said they were the work of a desperate body of men.