The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-07-07
THE VERDICT FOR THE TIMES.
A Review Of the Allegations Against
the ParnelIItes.
How the Result Has Complicated the
Situation.
Mr.. ParneII Makes a Statement to
the Commons.

LONDON, July G.-The verdict for the de-
fendant In Mr.. O'Donnelrs action against
the Times satisfies nobody, except perhaps
those, IL any there be, who had reason 10
dread coming disclosures. Lord Coleridge
practically stopped the case, and is sharply
criticised for doing IL. The Times gets a
verdict which is no consolation. Mr.. O'DOn-
nell's reputation remains what 1t was. Nor
Is Mr.. O'Donnells reputation a matter Of
prime interest to the English public Every
thing pales In Importance when compared
with the new charges brought by the Times
against Mr.. Parnell.
The statements made yesterday by the At
torney General are admitted by both sides to
be Of the gravest character. The question
Is whether they can be proved. The main
points alleged by the Attorney General are
Ia substance that Mr.. Patrick Egan during
the year before the Phoenix Park murders
was in correspondence from Paris with the
Invineibles and with Mr.. Parnell; that Mr..
Eagan told Harris that Mr.. Parnell was for
prompt, decisive action; that Mr.. Egan was
sending Carey, one OF the assassins, money
and asking when they should get value for
their money. Then, early in 1882, comes a
letter from Mr.. ParnelI, written In KiImain-
ham jail, to Mr.. Egan In Paris, beginning
Dear Egan," and saying: what are these
fellows waiting fOre They undertook 10
make u hot for old Forster. Why don't
they2" Lastly, Frank Byrne admits In writ
ing that on the day on which he fed from
London Mr. Parnell gave him Rl00. These
letters were read by the Attorney General 60
the jury, and would of course have been put
in evidence, when the genuineness OF some
or all would have been denied. The body Of
Mr.. Parnells letter from Kilmalnham Is ad-
mittedly not In his handwriting, nor Is Ii
known who wrote 1t. The signature Is al
legged to be genuine. How ii came into the
hands Of the Times Is not disclosed; nor
II the refusal cost his.- a verdict. say how they
got n 0-~s'sney expected 10 prove by ax-
perts and otherwise that the signature was
lie, OF course, denies 1t. as he denied and
still denies the signature Of that alleged fac
slmile letter which has so long been before
the, public. Many other things are denied,
and everything would have been for the Jury
But on the issue as now raised ali men are
agreed. IL these letters are genuine and
these accusations true, Mr.. Parnell will be
driven from public life In England. IL the
letters are forged and the Egan and Byrne
stories not proved TO the satisfaction of the
public when occasion offers, the Times will
nave to step down and out, and the reaction
In favor OF Home Rule may even bring Mr.
Gladstone back into power. Failure to make
good the Times's case would, In short, be re-
garded here as evidence that these charges
were the result Of conspiracy. But today
nobody can say what steps win next be tax
en-. The situation Is equally difficult for the
times and for Mr.. Parnell. The Irish lead
or, though repeatedly challenged, has steadi-
ly refused to bring an action for libel lie
could not, as Mr.. O'D0nnell has done, refuse
to enter the witness-box. Once In, questions
would be put TO him which he would have
either 10 answer or 10 decline 10 answer;
and either alternative would be damaging
lie Is not protected BY privilege as Minister
or eX- Minister would he