Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-08-03
DESTRUCTION DECREED.
THE DYNAMITE CAMPAIGN.
the Peoria Mans RevelatIOns-HOl-
gates PrOP0saI-The Plans and
Purposes of the United IrIshmen.

PEORIA, Ill, August 2.-P. W. Crome,
OF this city, whose name has been men
toned in connection with the attempt to
blow up British vessels, openly confesses
his knowledge of the plot, and claims the
same right to manufacture explosives that
others have to make firearms. He has let
ters from O'Donovan Rossa and boasts that
after September 1st no English vessel will
be safe. Some of the shells are On exhibit
ton, but there is nothing to indicate that
those already used were made here. 1t is
thought the shells are being made here and
the machinery and explosives at other
points.
reporter interviewed P. W. Crome, the
gasoline lamp contractor here, who is con-
nected with the internal machines matter.
Peoria has always been the head of the
Fenian agitation here, and Crome is one of
the most desperate agitatOrs. He is a man
OF small stature, with a dark, intellectual
countenance, and talked calmly upon
ordinary topics. He produced a let
ter from George Holgate, dated IPhila-
delphia, August 31st, 1880, setting forth
that Mr.. Holgate owned the McClintock
torpedo boat, which did such terrible exc
cutfon during the rebellion, and that he had
been conducting experiments with it under
water, which caused McClintock to lose
his life, and that he had refused PROPOSE
tion from Spain for the boat. He claimed
that the boat would blow up any vessel in
the British fleet, and could blockade any
port regardless of all the men-of.war In
the world. 1t would cost about $50 900
to build, and he would place it at Crome's
disposal. He said the boat would do more
good for ireland, and fetch the British Gov
eminent to terms quicker than half million
of men.
Crome said that shortly after the Execu-
tive Committee Of United Irishmen met in
New York, Judge Brennan,O Iowa, Captain
G. Spirman, of New York, James Kenefie,
OF Providence, ThOs. II. DIVER, of Chicago,
O'Donovan Rosss, and himself, were pre-
sent They discussed the Holgate pro-
position, and a scheme of de
vastating the shores of England.
But on Crome's representation
they decided that it would be too expensive,
and that they could do better work by de-
posting tOrpedoes in British ships, which
could be done for twenty-five dollars a
piece, and which would bring England to
terms by making it dangerous for people to
go aboard British vessels. They decided to
take that course. Some time later the
United Irishmen and Feniaus joined hands
In order to execute these plans. They were
5000 strong in the United States and Cana
da. There were branches ia Toronto, Quebec
and Montreal. and in every port within the
United States. The internal machines are
being made in every city where there is a
branch of the order, and will continue to be
made. They are working for the good of
the old sod and they were not more liable
than are the makers of revolvers and can
mons. Dynamite was no more vicious than
powder, and with these weapons they could
drive from the seas their enemy, destroy
their trade and make profitable business
impossible.