The Irish standard., 1888-02-11
MR.. BLUNT,s CHARGES.

AOIc 0Apl1CAO 4AAVA u0O1OA VIVA AO35ssAN
to Mr.. Blunt's charges than could be
obtained from telegraphic source.
The latest Dublin Freeman to hand
goes into the matter very fully, and
strengthens the charges of Mr.. Blunt
to such degree as to place the guilt Of
Mr.. Balfour beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Freeman bogins BY averring that
the charge is one of the utmost gravity.
It is that Mr.. Balfour intended from
the outset to compass the death of the
Irish leaders. This is no opinion
formed by Mr.. Blunt under the con-
sciousaess of injustice. He asserts in
the most explicit and direct manner
that the information was obtained
from Mr.. Balfour himself, and he
quotes the very words IN which the
Chief Secretary detailed his plans for
Kill. off the prominent members of
the Irish Party.
Mr.. Blunt's statement was made to
the sitting justices of Galway Jail. He
has been subjected to treatment in
prison which would indicate that he,
also, has been placed upon MIR. Bal
tours list of political opponents pro-
scribed for death. Ho wished to affirm
the statement on oath, but the visiting
justices-fearful, apparently, Of the
Castles vengeance-declined to allow
him. 1t goes to the public upon his
honor He said
'tIn September last L was staying at
a country house in the south Of Eng
land, where [ found myself in COM
pany with Mr.. Balfour. We had con-
yersations on the Irish question. He
explained to me his ideas about the
means to be taken to put down the
Home Rule movement. He stated he
considered the whole movement de-
pended on the personal influence Of
some half a dozen men, and if he could
get them out of the way the movement
would collapse. This could be done by
means of the Coercion Act, by which
they would be able to get the leaders
into Jail for six months with hard Ia
bor. He said the treatment would be
very severe--very different from the
treatment by Mr., Forster of his prison
ers, 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, 4 shall be
sorry for John Dillon, as he has some
good points about him. He will have
six months, and as he has bad health,
he will die in PRISON."
Before Mr.. Blunt was imprisoned,
before his prosecution was Initiated, he
made this statement to Mr. O'Brien, to
Mr.. John Dillon: and, if we are not
much in error, continues the Freeman,
to gentlemen of the highest eminence
in English politics, The charge is now
before the public. If true, it brands
the Minister of the Crown as unfit to
have any part in the government of a
civilized nation. Tits made by an Eng
lish gentleman upon whose fair name
there is nc stain of dishonor. Mr.
Blunt's oppoaeats may consider him an
enthusiastic is the worlds way of de-
men who are true enough to
side with the weak against the strong
In the cause of justlce-but not one Of
them will say, believing what he says,
that MIR. Blunt would concoct so hid
9ous an accusation. More than the re-
tort, "a ridiculous lie," is required of
MIR. Baltour. Such charge made by a
gentleman Of Mr.. Blunt's character is
aot to be thus lightly brushed aside.
The word Of the one is placed against
;he word Of the ether; we have no
doubt as to which will weigh most,
,ven with politicians of Mr.. Balfour's
'arty.
Mr.. Blunt, long before his imprison-
nent lp Galway jail under the Coercion
Act, condded to several . olitical friends
n Ireland and Englond the details of
Ar. Balfour's plan for settling the Irish
question by killing off the Irish leaders.
lie told Mr.. Dillon for one, and that
yielding to the solicita atoms
# his friends, went to England, where
10 has since done much good work for
he Irish cause. He told Mr.. O OBrien,
'ut under the circumstances Mr..
}'Brien was convinced that it was his |
Luty to go to prison, though he were
lever to quit it a living man. Mr..
)avitt writes that he also was warned
" Mr.. Blunt some few months ago |
hat Mr.. BaIfour intended to get rid Of
he Home Rule movement by compass
ng the death Of certain prominent |
Home Rulers, men Of weak health, who
could not long withstand "the vigorous
md constant application of the Coer-
ion Act.
Mr. Balfour, in telegram, expressed
belief that Mr.. Blunt never made the
statement imputed to him, but the
FREEMAN says it knows, as matter Of
act, that the statement was made.
That Mr.. Blunt made the statement it