The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-01-21 00:00:00

MR. BLUNT IN GAOL.-SENSATIONAL
CHARGES.

The Dublin Freeman's Journal of Monday morning
contains a long communication from its Galway cor-
respondent relative to Mr. Wilfrid Blunt's treatment
in Galway Gaol, and reproduces, it states, as nearly
as possible, the words in which Mr. Blunt made the
following sensational charge against Mr. Balfour to
the visiting magistrates.
On Friday the Governor, with the chief warder,
entered my cell and informed me that he had a
painful duty to perform, as he had received positive
orders from the prison board to deprive me of my
greatcoat—if necessary, by force; that there were
two ways by either of which he would do it—by the
head warder using nominal force, or by a number of
warders, who would use actual force for the purpose. I
replied that, to save trouble, I would not actively
resist, and on the threat of violence I gave up
the coat. While absolving the prison officials
from blame, I consider I am suffering personal
persecution; and, fearing I might be remove
to some other prison where I would not have the same
safeguards for my life, as, owing to the honourable
character of the officers, I have in this prison, I
feel bound to explain to you the circumstances ou
which I found my apprehensions. In September last
I was staying at a country house in the South of
England, where I found myselffin company with Mr
Balfour. We had conversations onthe Irish question
He explained to me his ideas about the means to be
taken to put down the Home Rule movement. HE
stated that he considered the whole movement de-
pended on the personal influence of some half-a-dozen
men, and that if he could get them out of the way
the movement would collapse; that this would be
done by means of the Coercion Act, by which they
would be able to get the leaders into gaol for sis
months, with hard labour. He said the treatment would
be very severe—very different from the treatment by
Mr. Forster of his prisoners, and would be so severe
that those who had not strong health would not be
able to support it. With respect to Mr. John Dillon,
he said, "I shall be sorry for John Dillon, as he has
some good about him. He will have six months, and
as he has bad health, he will die in prison." I was
so much impressed by these statements that when]
heard of the Mitchelstown affair I came to Ireland,
and warned Mr. Dillon and Mr. O'Brien of what was
intended. I know Mr. Balfour is aware of this, and]
believe he attributes to me John Dillon being out of
Ireland when the warrant for his arrest was issued
To this I attribute the virulent character of the'
prosecution at Portumna. I feel unsafe in Mr
Balfour's hands, and that unless protected by those
responsible for the direction of prison discipline I
should incur considerable risk of ill-treatment, or
perhaps worse.
The Freeman's Journal goes on to say:
When he concluded Mr. Blunt again asked the justices
to allow him to verify the statement. This they, however,
declined. He asked them to remember that in the
event of his being removed to another prison he had
offered to make this statement on oath. On the jus-
tices seeing the cell in which he was confined they
told Mr. Blunt that they would recommend that his
great coat should be returned to him, that he should
have a better lighted cell, and that he should
get writing materials. On this understanding Mr. Blunt
promised to resume the prison clothes until the
answer was received to the recommendation of the
justices.

- Inquiry having been made of Mr. Balfour whether
there is any ground for the extraordinary charge
which Mr. Wilfrid Blunt is reported to have made
against him to the Visiting Justices at Galway, the
Chief Secretary for Ireland has replied by telegraph to
the Central News Agency as follows: _ _ .

"Ridiculous lie. -I do not believe Mr. Blunt ever
made the assertion.--RALFOUR."

Dated "Galway, Saturday night," the following was
received in Dubin, giving further details of Mr. Blunt's
interview with the visiting justices of the prison:
Mr. Wilfrid Blunt is determined not to be outdone
by the Irishmen in making his period of imprison-
ment as far as possible of a sensational character.
He was allowed to wear his own clothes the first day
in prison, and then readily consented to don the out-
ward attire of the Crown, being allowed, though, to
wear his inside clothing and a heavy top coat which
he had with him at Portumna. On Friday Governor
Captain ,Mason went to the gen of Mr. Blunt and
reported to him that the overcoat would have to be
substituted by one belonging to her Majesty's
prison. Mr. Blunt made no reply. The Governor
continued, "Should you refuse quietly to consent to
this there is only one other method for me to adopt.
I shall be obliged to compel you to give up your
coat." Mr. Blunt said that he had satisfied
himself with the protest which he had made
against asking him to surrender his own coat, which
he said was absolutely necessary for warmth in the
present exceptionally cold weather, and the inadequate
covering in the prison, and that he would give up his
coat. "But," he added, "I shall mark my sense of
this petty and malevolent action on the part of the
prison authorities by refusing to wear any garments
supplied by them." The prisoner gave up his coat at
once, and thereupon flung off all the clothes which he
was then wearing belonging to the prison. He
wrapped the prison blanket about him, and walked
about all the afternoon of yesterday. A short while
after this occurred, Major G. Wilson Lynch, D.L., as one
of the visiting justices of the prison, called to see
whether the prisoner had anything to complain
of, and Mr. Blunt expressed a desire to make a
statement to the visiting justices in reference
to his prison treatment. Major Lynch at once
sent out circulars to the members of the visiting com-
mittee, and called a meeting for twelve o'clock to-day
(Saturday). Subsequently to Major Lynch calling,
Colonel O'Hara, late chairman of the Town Commis-
sioners, visited Mr. Blunt, and saw him in the state
described above. Mr. Blunt remained in bed. The
visiting justices held the special meeting called under
the above circumstances at twelve o'clock. There
were present Colonel Archer Daly, Athenry ; Major J.
Wilson Lynch, D.L., Renmore ; Mr. Marcus Lynch,
D.L., Barna, ; Major Ropdell, Raheen Park, Athenry ;
Mr. T. Reddington Roche, Monivea ; and Mr. J.
W. H. Lambert, of Craughwell. Mr. Lambert pre-
sided. Major Lynch detailed the circumstances under
which he had called the meeting, and a conversation
took place upon the prison treatment of Mr. Blunt.
Those present decided to go to his cell and see
him there, and the meeting adjourned for this pur-
pose. The justices, on presenting themselves at the
cell, found the prisoner in conversation with Colonel
Nolan, M.P., who, as a magistrate of the county, was
exercising his privilege of seeing the prisoner. The
visiting justices informed Colonel Nolan of their busi-
ness, and requested that he would be good enough to
withdraw until they had heard what statement the
prisoner had to communicate to the visiting justices.
Colonel Nolan held that he had as good a right as any
of them to be there, and declined to leave, but would
not insist, he said, upon staying if the majority of
them decided he should withdraw. Upon consulta-
tion, a majority present decided that he should with-
draw, and then Colonel Nolan left the cell. The pri-
soner then narrated the circumstances of the sur-
render of his overcoat given above, and proceeded to
say that now was the time for him to make a statement
of another matter, which he felt bound to tell the public.
He had some time ago, he said, a conversation with Mr.
Balfour, the Chief Secretary for Ireland, and Mr. Bal-
four on that occasion told him that his plan of
settling the Irish question, and one which he meant to
carry out, was to have about half-a-dozen of the fore-
most men of the Irish party put into gaol for six
months under the Crimes Act. They are mostly (added
Mr. Balfour) men of weak constitution, and they will
not survive six months' prison treatment. Then will
end tho Irish difficulty." Mr. Blunt was interrupted
in the recital of this sensational conversation by the
justices, who informed him that it was no part of
their duty to receive such a statement; that they
had merely to inquire into the treatment of prisoners
in the prison, and ascertain if they had any com-
plaint against the officials, or as regards the rules
and their application. Mr. Blunt had no complaint
whatever, he said, against the governor or any of the
warders, who were most attentive to him so far as
the rules would allow them. The visiting justices
then retired to the board-room, and having gone at
great length into the whole question, recommended
that the prisoner should have his own coat restored
to him, also that he should be the occupant of a well-
lit room with a fire, and that a supply of books and
writing materials should be kept in his room. The
visiting justices recommended these very strongly, and
the governor undertook to take the necessary steps in
the matter. Mr. Dillon, solicitor for Mr. Blunt,
travelled down specially to have an interview with
him. On presenting himself at the prison, however,
the governor told him that circumstances had arisen
which prevented him seeing the prisoner, and Mr.
Dillon was not allowed to his cell. He produced the
permit which he had obtained from the General
Prisons Board. The governor replied that circum-
stances had arisen in the meantime, and the rules
prevented a visit even on legal business. Mr. Dillon
telegraphed to the secretary of the General Prisons
Board, and in a short time a telegram was received
by the governor to permit Mr. Dillon to see the pri-
soner. Mr. Dillon then remained an hour with Mr.
Blunt after the visiting justices had left the place.
Mr. Pierce J. Joyce, D.L., Prison Inspector, examined
the prison. He saw Mr. Blunt, who made to him the
complaints above narrated. Mr. Joyce said he could
only forward any complaint for the consideration of
the authorities.

On Saturday, while the police under District-
Inspector Brett, of Dunfanaghy, were assisting in the
execution of bench warrants for the collection of seed
rates at Menaclacky, Gweedore, they met with a
determined resistance by the people. A conflict en-
sued, and in the encounter two women were stabbed
with bayonets and a policeman wounded. All the
injured were placed under medical treatment.
It was reported at Lismore on Saturday afternoon
that Mr. Douglas Pyne, M.P., had escaped from Lis-
finny Castle, where he has so long been besieged by
the police. It is stated he escaped while a large
number of cattle were being driven into his grounds.
The police have started in search of Mr. Pyne.
At the conclusion of a charity sermon, preached at
Skibbereen on Sunday by the Bishop of Ross, his
lordship said that to make this country loyal by a
policy of exasperation was futile. The loyalty of
the Irish people could not be secured7nor could their
aspirations for nationality be kept down, by brute
force.