Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-03
THE PARNELL COMMISSION.
Michael Davitt's Interesting Testimony
Given Yesterday.

Il 10iScu IeSterOays
| Michael Davitt in his testimony before the
Parnell commission yesterday, after the report
OF The STAR had closed, stated that while in
America he attended meetings Of the Gamma
Gael, at which he explained the objects of the
land league and tried to win the Clan na-Gael
to its support The Clan-na-Gael, he said, in
cluded some Of the best Irishmen in America.
1t was no more q murder club than was the
Carlton club of London. There was no alli-
ance between the Clan-na-Gael and the
league in Ireland. The league movement
in America won the support of all the Iris
in America to Mr.. Parnell. Mr.. Davitt said
he never met better man as q philan-
| thropist and a Christian than Patrick
Ford. He was very sorry that for a
| few months after the league was estab-
| lished Mr.. Ford openly advocated the use of
dynamite. Witness wrote to him expostulating
against his Endorsement of such a line of action
and ultimately MIR. Ford returned to the policy
adopted by Mr.. Parnelrs followers and now
| honestly advocates constitutional agitation.
Witness said he himself was opposed to the use
OF dynamite because it was an immoral and
humanity style of warfare. He was not opposed
| to physical force if in resorting thereto there
was reasonable chance of success The league
did not provide for the circulation of the Irish
World in Ireland. Mr.. Ford sent copies over
through the spread the light fund" and wit
ness paid the postage The league did not
departure, extracts from which were quoted
by Attorney-General Webster, counsel for the
Times.
THE PHOENIX PARK MURDERS.
In reference to the Pnenix park murders Mr..
Davitt said: "Mr. Parnell came to me on the
Sunday following the day Of the murders utterly
broken down at the news. He said: 'Davitt,
Ishall send my resignation to Cork tonight.
refuse to stay in the movement when ire
sponsible men, of whom we know nothing, can
come behind our backs and perpetrate such
deeds. 1t took all my influence" said the wit
ness, Ito dissuade him from resigning. We
Immediately had circulated throughout Ireland
manifesto condemning the murders. There
was absolutely no ground for the suggestion
that or any of my colleagues were in any way
privy to the crimes"
DAvITT ON ALEX. SULLIVAN.
Mr.. Davitt said he had known Alexander Sui
livan since 1878, and had the highest opinion
OF his ability as a lawyer, his character as a
citizen and his honor a man. He did not
believe him to be capable of any dishonorable
act. Witness returned to Ireland from Ameiica
IN December, 1880. He had then framed and
Issued circular to the Irish people and had
delivered thirty speeches denouncing outrages.
He believed Outrages were due to the agita-
ton OF local agrarian bodies composed chiefly
OF sons OF small tenant farmers. When witness
was released from prison, on May 6, 1882, MIR.
Parnell and Mr.. Dillon had informed him that
they were hopeful of change in the govern
ments policy. Witness was glad that there
was prospect of agitating ceasing. He dis
liked agitation and would willingly abandon
1t tomorrow If he had some justice done to
Ireland He could not abandon it otherwise
Mr.. Davitt continued: Beyond stating pub
licly in New York in July, 1882, that l had
severed my connection with the revolutionary
body expressed no dissent of the Fenans
l did not attend any meeting of the Clan-na-
Gael after 1880. believe that murders were
committed by members of the Clan-na-Gael
but the perpetrators certainly did not have the
sanctioning of the governing body nor the ap-
prevail of the leaders. When was organizing
secretary l communicated with the member of
the supreme council for my district"
SOME NAMES HE CANNOT GIVE.
Acknowledgement Webster-"Who was he?"
Mr.. Davitt-'I cannot tell you 1t would be
a gross breach Of trust to divulge his name.
IL he is still in business in England he might
be ruined if the fact of his connection with the
council was to become known"
The encouragement said he would not press
the question now
Witness, continuing, said that in a letter
which he had wrote he had used the word pen.
meaning revolver. He declined to say to whom
the letter was addressed.
rester?'
. MIR. Davitt-'I cannot say without possibly
inluring a man who greatly wronged me-
Presiding Justice Hannen said the court re-
spected the motive for witness reticence. but
could not recognize it an excuse for not an
swering.
Mr. Davitt thereupon explained that the
man to whom the letter was written had con-
eeived hatred of another member of the
league and wished to murder him. Witness
wrote to him, appearing to sanction the act he
meditated, but really to gain time until he
could write to two superior officers and ask
them to dissuade the man from carrying out his
purpose. The expression used in the letter
was, whoever is employed. do not let him use
the pen we have been using" Witness wrote
to the two superior officers about the matter.
He could not tell their Names He believed
that both were now in America
MIR. Davitt said the dear friend to whom was
addressed the letter in which the word pen ap-
Peared was now in America, and he now pub
liely appealed to him to allow him to diyulge
his name.