Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-09-13
Michael Davitt's Story.
WHAT HE Is PREPARED TO TESTIFY TO BEFORE THE
PARNELL COMMISSION

PARNELL COMMISSION.
Michael Davitt intends to apply to the Parnen
Commission for permission to give evidence before
that body. He has prepared for the press an alb
stract OF the statement he proposes to make be-
fore the commission, commencing with occur
rences in 1866, when he Joined the Irish Republi-
can Brotherhood. On his release from Portland
prison he concluded that the Irish were not
adapted for agitation by secret conspiracy and
formed plan OF open combination. He commu-
n1cated his views to the leaders OF both the revo-
lutiOnary and constitutional parties. After his
tour In America he started O movement to make
the land question the basis OF agitation. He con-
troverts The Times theory that this new de-
parture had anything to do with the new
departure originated In New York. Although de-
Tending the American proposal, so far as it In
spiracy he says he was convinced that an alliance
between the constitutionallsts and revolutionares
ept line without consulting either Mr.. Parnell or
the Fenian leaders In 1879 he started an agita-
ton against landlordism on funds received from
his American lectures. He applied to John Boyle
OReilly, Patrick Ford and John Dewey for assist
ance. He received c5OO from the national
skirmishing fund.- but as the Fenian press objected
to the use OF the fund for constitutional agitation
he returned the amount. Mr.. Parnell offered
money from the resources OF the league.
Mr. Parnell'S Official connection with the move
ment began with the organization OF the league IN
october, 1879 Parnell, during his absence In
America, In the winter OF 1879, forwarded TO the
league ESQ, 600 to be distributed for the relief OF
distress. In 1880, Davitt, going to America TO
form an auxiliary league, was expelled from the
Irish Republican Brotherhood for advocacy OF
constitutional agitation. Since then there has
been constant hostility between the leagues and
the Fenians. Early In 1880 four men visited his
lodgings In Dublin, designing to murder him. At
the same time Fenian gang, headed by "Phenix
Park" Carey, broke up his meetings on the
rotunda. About this time II he and other leaders
In favor OF open agitation had not been removed
from the control OF the league by the government
imprisoning them, the conspiracy would never
have been heard or
on the morning following the Phoenix Park
murders he met Parnell, who, greatly excited said
he had resolved TO send his resignation to the
Cork electors that very day, retiring utterly from
Irish politics. Parnell declared that no man could
be safe where irresponsible conspirators organized
deeds Of that kind, aiming deadly blows at the
constitutional movement on the threshold of
victory. Davitt succeeded in persuading him to
reconsider.
On the same day the manifesto condemning the
murders was sent to Ireland. Mr.. Davitt, although
taking no prominent part In the National League
co-operated with Mr.. Parnells delegates TO
Chicago IN 1885 In trying TO influence the conven-
ton In the direction OF a pacific policy. He was
afterward condemned TO be shot by the council OF
dynamiters OF the Rosa faction because he de-
nounced the use OF dynamite In Chicago.