THE PARNELL COMMISSION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4998, 4 May 1889, Page 2

THE PARNELL COMMISSION.

(Pua Electric Telegraph oopvßioht.)

(Pbb Press association.)

(Received 4.30 p.m., May 3rd.)

London, May 1.

The cross-examination of Mr Parnell by Sir R. E. "Webster was continued yesterday. The Irish leader is skilfully answering the Attorney General’s questions regarding his knowledge of Gallagher, Harris, Walsh, Dovoy, Breslin, and other Irish-Americans. Mr Parnell said he did not know that they were Fenians. They never told him that they were. The statements as to his approving of Nolan’s past history, and saying that “ none are truer than those standing beside Nolan,” were mere election exaggerations. He admitted that Condon, who was one of those who planned the rescue of Iveely and Deasy from tho custody of the police near Manchester, on 18th September, 1801, when the policeman Brett was killed, was chairman of his (Mr Parnell’s) reception committee at Washington, and asserted that ho introduced him to Congress. He knew Finnery, the dynamiter, and had never repudiated him. He admitted writing to him in 1872 as a personal friend, congratulating him upon bis return to Congress, but was not aware that he whs a dynamiter till 1882,

(Received 10.30 p.m., May 3rd.) May 2,

Before the T’i/»es-Parnell Commission tho cross-examination of Mr Parnell was continued. He said that he was not aware that the chairman of his American reception committee was a member of the Olan-na-Gael. Ho was not aware that Devoy had threatened to murder an English Minister of tho Crown and to burn cities. Witness admitted that he had never denounced the use of dynamite except when replying to Mr Forster, the Irish Secretary, in the House of Commons. Witness said that he might have subscribed to a present to Kelly who shot Constable Talbot, and that he had never condemned the past career of the violent party. He considered that the enthusiasm i ofJMr W. E. Redmond, M.P., approached to rashness, and he had privately reproved him for menacing speeches. He admitted that his protests against crime since 1880 were not sufficient in view of the increase of outrages. His rent manifesto was an act of retaliation for imprisonment in Kilmainham gaol, and the arrests of other members of his party, and he was willing to admit that the manifesto was open to condemnation though it had never been formerly withdrawn. He regarded many of W. O’Brien’s articles in the United Ireland newspaper as too strong. (Special to Press Association.) (Received 10 a.m., May 3rd ) London, May I. In cross-examination Mr Parnell admitted advocating non-payment of rent. This, ho alleged, was the only unconstitutional act of his whole career. Sir R. E. Webster’s questions arefow in number, and, so fur,'have not produced much result,