TISSUE OF FALSEHOODS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1785, 3 November 1919, Page 7

TISSUE OF FALSEHOODS.

DISLOYALTY REPUDIATED.

By Calle. — Press Association. — Copyright. (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, Oct. 30. Father O'Donnell, interviewed by the Australian Press Association, stated he had at last received precise details of the Government's charge. "Every Australian who knows my record of the past five years," he said, "will see the absurdity of fathering upon me the statement which it is alleged I made at Killarnev. I brand these alleged statements as a tissue of falsehoods, and absolutely repudiate any and every disloyal statement." Father O'Donnell points out that it is nonsensical to suppose any conspirator would enunciate such sentiments in the public room of an hotel. It is pitiful, he says, that the Irish Government should formulate such a charge. . The question of court-martialhng Father O'Donnell has not yet been settled by the Australian General Staff. CABLEGRAMS NOT SENT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Rec. Nov. 3, 9.10) LONDON, Oct. 31. Father O'Donnell explains that, though he drafted cablegrams to Mr Hughes and Cardinal Mannix, protesting against his deportation without an opportunity of defending himself, his counsel decided not to send the cablegrams. [Apparently some form of protest reached Mr Hughes, whose protest to the authorities at Home was stated to have been made- in reoly to a cablegram from Father O'Donnell.] , WITNESSES CALLED FOR. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Bee. Nov. 3, 11.20) LONDON, Oct. 31. The Australian military authorities have telegraphed to Ireland summoning witnesses in the O'Donnell case, with a view to a preliminary investigation. They are taking summary evidence. COURT-MARTIAL UNLIKELY., Australian and N.Z. Cab\e Association. (Rec. Nov. 3, 12.5) LONDON. Oct. 31. It is unlikely that Father O'Donnell will be court-martialled. He desires to be demobilised in order to bring a civil action against his accusers in Ireland.