The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-15

rule as Parnell or myself. He gave me to
derstand there were difficulties in the way of
some OF his colleagues, who were not yet edu-
Gated up to the mark. but certainly understood
from him that an endeavor would be made to
complete their education. We had a long talk
on various Irish questions. and promised to ask
Pafnell to arrange for an interview with Car
narvon. / saw Parnell and told him my
story. The whole thing was entirely new to him,
but after short consideration, he determined
that he would see Carnarvon. I wrote to Car
narvon and Carnarvon replied, suggesting the
time and place of an interview. The place sug-
gested was the house Of the friend have men
mentioned, in one of the great fashionable West
end squares. Parnell demurred, and said that
il there was any talk to be made about all this
hereafter he could not consent to have any ap-
pearance or mystery or secrecy about 1t, and II
he was to meet Carnarvon he would go openly to
Carnarvon's own house. To this Carnarvon at
once agreed. and the interview took place in one
of Carnarvon's town houses at the West End. /
was not present at the interview, and only know
what happened there from what Parnell told
nee, which he has now told the public. But
everyone knows what cool head and clear
memory he has, and the world will take his
word.
NV story is important chiefly because 1t gives
the fullest and attest contradiction to the state
ment which / regret to think Carnarvon has
made--that Parnell sought the interview. Par
nell did not seek it. He never knew anything
about it until told him of Carnarvon's desire |
Olu not seek IL LOT WAS SOuSut Out, dLu ZIG
proposal was entirely unexpected by me. There
was nothing in the whole transaction that would
not rebound to Carnarvons credit as states
man ard man of ideas--except for the curious
attempt to back out.
Now, the truth is that when the elections came
on, and did not give the Tories majority, even
with our help, the Conservative government
were afraid to take the jump. Carnarvon, be-
lieve, did his very best, and, failing. resigned
his office. met him in December,
after the elections at small dinner party in the
house of friend-not the friend who arranged
the former intervew-and we had some frank
and friendly conversation. He gave me to under
stand that nothing was to be hoped for just then
from his party. He certainly did not say one
word to me which implied that through the
whole transaction he had been acting merely for
himself alone The whole tenor of what he said
seemed to imply quite the contrary, and in what
/ said to him / took this a matter of course /
have not the slightest doubt in my mind
that up to the late elections the
leaders of the Conservative government
wisdom Of preparing homerule measure; that
it was done under the inspiration of Carnarvon;
that he was strongly supported by Lord Ran
dolph Churchill and Lord Ashbourne, thon the
Irish Lord Chancellor and that Lord Salisbury
was beginning to see his way to 1t when the cleo
tions knocked all their calculations to pieces.
If he could have said to their party 1--WE can
give, Ireland home rule, and keep Office our
selves" then the education of the party would
have been easily accomplished But to say,
"We can prepare a home-rule scheme, but we
are not strong enough to carry it and keep In
Office" is quite different thing So they had
to bak the jump, and they think the best thing
they can do now is to say they never intended
to make it.