Sacramento daily record-union., 1882-05-06
THE IRISH QUESTION.
Discussions In the house Of Commons
Forster's Statement.
tBy Telegrnph.1

lBy Telegraph
LONDON, May 5sh.-Forster, in justifyinp
the arrest of ParneD, said that Parnell, If he
had beer allowed, would have become an un-
crowned King of Ireland. He declared the
proceedings of the Imprisoned members had
peen TAR more dangerous than individual in
citements to outrage. He .said that il all
England could not govern Paruell. let the
Government acknowledge that he is the
greatest power in ireland. But he believed
neither such an admission nor any weakening
concessions we-e necessary. Better even the
hideous secret societies than paying blackmail
to law.breakers. This exclamation was re-
celved with groaps, the opposition cheering.
Continuing, Forster said the course which
ne mad hoped to see pursued was that the act
OF STRENGTHENING the or 1inary law should be
pressed forward, and then all the suspects
could be released. He feared the price which
would have to be paid for the immediate dim.
mutton OF outrages which might be produced
py an unconditional release Of Parnell, would
be weakening to the power of any Govern
ment to protect life and property. 1t was
true his individual opinions of the proper
course to pursue were opposed by his thirteen
colleagues, one of whom held opinions SO
strong that it was impossible for him to ap-
pear there, and not acknowledge them.
forster concluded by referring to the pain
"-eA "A4iSh ac duittcu tu6 councils OF LQ6
party, the principles Of which, he said, he
had not forsaken. He spoke with consider
able emotion,
Gladstone, replying to question, said it
had been intimated to him that the "No
Rent manifesto would be withdrawn.
Dillon, O'Kelly and Sexton stated that
such an intimation was without their author
ity.
Gladstone then stated that the intimation
l aa anna frar ell Al
was then absent he (Gladstone) declined to
| make any further stateme t.
Sir Henry Drummond Wolff quoted Glad
| stones declarations that the Land Leaguers
| had caused outrage, rapiae and murder, and
| ridiculed the Government for releasing the
| Leaguers, as if they were innocent. The
| Land League. he declared, had beaten the
| Government and Gladstone had recognized
| Parpell as the ruler of Ireland.
Sir Stafford Northcote thought the present
| aspect of affairs looked like q triumph for
| the aeitators.
| Greely asserted that the appointment of
Lord Frederick Cavendish, as Chief Secre-
| tary for Ireland, is an endeavor to copciliats
the Whig members Of the Cabinet,
Gladstone warmly praised Forster for not
| compromising the Literal party, and de-
clared that there was no arrangement or bar
| gain with the Leaeuers but that the Govern
ment had availed themselves of the informa-
| ton rendered by men in position to offer
it. 1t was intended at an early moment to
| legislate on the arrears of rent.
Parnell denied the question of the release
OF himself and others was due to any condi.
| tion as to their future condition, though he
| said he had stated verbally and in writing
that he believed the settlement of arrears
would have an enormous effect in restoring
law and order. and that if such . settlement
should be made he would be able to take such
| steps as would have material effect in dimir.
ishing the number of outrages.
Dillon said he had not, directly or indi-
rectly, any communication with the Govern.
ment.
OKelly denied having agreed to any cop-
ditions, which denial Gladstone confirmed
Sir Stafford Nortbcote complimented
Forster on his dignifed explanation, and
| pressed the Government to declare definite
course of its policy. He subsequently moved
an adjournment of the House.
Sir William Harcourt defended ths Gov
| ernment. He believed the release of the sus.
| poets would have good effect.
After speeches from O'Connor, Power,
Mitchell, Henry O'Donnell aud others, Glib
son. Conservative member for Dublin Uni.
versity and formerly Attorney General for
Ireland, made long speech against the Gov
ernment. He maintained that the agitation
in Ireland was mainly supported by the
American press and American gold; that
without American aid it would be q very
small affair indeed.
The Marquis of Harrington rebuked the
Tories for not suppre.sing Forster while he
was in office. He declared the information
on which the suspects were released was fur
nished by Earl Cowper and Forster
| lcheertl according to which the conduct of
Parnell and others was found not to be hos
| tile to the administration of law and order,
| but would tend in contrary direction. The
| Government was. therefore, not justified in
retaining the LesRuers in prison a single
day.
| Sir Stafford Nortbcote withdrew the mo
tion which he had made for adjournment.
| Parnell first entered the House while Fors-
ter was making his statement, and was
loudly cheered.
| The Prince of Wales aud the Crown Prince
of Denmark were in the House while Forster
was making his statement.