THE PARNELL LETTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9110, 19 July 1888, Page 5

THE PARNELL LETTERS.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

London, July 7. In the House of Commons, to-day, 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 his denial is valueless, and challenges him to disprove them. In the House of Commons to-day, Mr. Parnell applied for the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the authenticity of the letters 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. The solicitor who appeared in Court on behalf of Mr. O'Donnell declares that every step taken in the recent action against the Times was first submitted to Mr. Parnell. -

The Pall Mall Gazette, referring to the disclosures in the Times libel action, challenges the Government to move for Mr. Parnell's expulsion from the House of Commons.

Mr. Davitt, speaking at Glasgow, challenged his opponents to prosecute him and Mr. Parnell on charges of mur* der and conspiracy, as the only course to properly sift the charges levied against them. He admitted that the subordinate leaders of the League had committed ; grave crimes, but denied that Mr. Parnell or his followers were guilty. .He regretted the crimes which ad been committed, and said they were the work of a desperate body of men. ' ' "