The Portland daily press., 1888-07-09
DAVITT CHALLENGES THE GOVERNMENT
To Place the Leaders OF the Irish In
the Dock.
Public Meetings to be Held TO Secure
an Investigation
or the Charges Again Made by the
London Times.

LONDON, July Sin a speech at the Irish
demonstration at Glasgow yesterday, Mr..
Davitt, referring to 0'Donnells libel suit
against the Times, denied that there was any
collusion between O'Donnell and the Times.
On the contrary, Mr.. O'Donnell had pursued
a course taken by him against his own judg-
ment and on his Davitt'9 advice, and along
with that Of some other Natlonallsts, who
believed the case would receive impartial
hearing before British judge. They had
been grievously disappointed. The At
torney Generals assertion that he could
prove the charges contained In the Times's
articles on "Parnellism and crime," made
tne taxing OF further action inevitable. IL
.ne letters alleged to have been written by
mMlr. Mr. farneH were genuine. IL the Attorney
General, 1a as a law officer Of the Crown, really
nela proofs sufficient 10 convict Mr.. Parne1
and others Of conspiracy to murder, II was
MS duty to place them in the dock. fCheers.l
lie challenged the Attorney General to adopt
such course.
Arrangements are being made to hold pub
lic meetings, at which there will be present
ed Tor signatures a petition asking Parlla-
ment 10 take measures to bring the charges
against the. Parnellites to definite conclu-
sion.
what o'Donnell Says.
Mr.. 0'DonneIl writes to the News Agency
that his council adopted the mode Of proceed
ure taken In his suit against the Times at the
instigation and on the advice of two emil
nent Gladstonian members Of the Commons.
These gentlemen, both Of whom are lawyers,
urged that the Times's move would be COM
pletely exposed II that paper were compelled
to show its whole hand, they reserying all
the material evidence, including that OF
ODonnell for rebutting the case. O'Don-
nell 8 solicitor also writes 10 contradict the
Parnellite denial Of knowledge Of the case.
He states that Davitt wrote In February Of
fering on behalf OF Mr.. Parnel every assist
ance In his power. Since then they were ac-
guainted with everything that transplred.
Parnell requested that O'Donnell return
from Italy for the purpose Of having pri-
vate Interview
Newspaper Comment.
LONDON, July THE Pail Mall Gazette
says that the ministers obviously do not con-
slider Mr.. ParnelPs denial as conclusive Of
his innocence. Their supporters declare
that the denial is false. The ministry, the
paper says, must either expel Mr. Parnell
from Parliament, or dismiss Attorney Gener-
al Webster. No middle course is compatible
with the honor and responsibility Of the gov
ernment.
. The st. James Gazette calls Mr.. Parnelps
statement a flabby mixture Of unsupported
denial, inaccuracy, inconsistency, misrepre-
sentation and mendacity. II Mr.. Gladstone
II says, continues to be a friend and ally Of
Mr.. Parnell, and does not clear himself from
the reproach Of Indifference as to whether
the charges are repelled CT not, he will
achieve the apparently impossible feat OF
further disgracing his name, his party and
the country which gave him chance for
splendid career.
The Star CT. p. O'Connor's paper reioices
over the fact that Mr.. Parnell will not fall
into the Times's trap, and subject himself TO
Attorney General Webster's dishonorable
trickery and INSCRIPTIONS and irrelevant
eross-examiniLg before London jury Mr..
farnell, It declares, Is now, and always has
been, ready to submit his ease TO a commit
zee OF inquiry appointed by the House Of
Commons
A crowd assembled In Trafalgar square
this afternoon with the intention Of holding
meeting. A strong force Of police tried to
break up the gathering. Sir Charles War
rem, the chief OF police, instructed them to
keep the crowd moving, but to make no ar
rests. In accordance with his orders.
Messrs. Saunders and Conybere were allow
ed to make speeches. The assemblage also
succeeded in passing resolutions den9unetng
Mr.. BalfOur, Chief Secretary Tor Ireland.
Scrimmages occurred constantly during these
proceedings, and finally the police lost their
temper ard charged and dispersed the mob.
making number Of arrests.
Mr.. cIeveIand's English Supporters.