Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-28
THE ssTINfES'' APOLOGIES.
IL Believed the Letters were Genuin,
Until Pigott Confessed.

The London Times of to-day makes printed
apology for its charges against Parnell in con-
nection with the forged letters. In its leading
editorial it quotes in full the apology rendered
by Attorney General Webster before the Par
nell commission for the publication of the
forged letters, and continues: 1--WE desire to
indorse as appropriate every word of the
foregoing statement. 1t is our wish, as it
it is our duty, to do so. Moreover,
Mr.. Parnell having in the witness-box stated
that the letters are forgeries, we accept in
every respect the truth of that statement In
these circumstances We deem it right to express
our regret most fully and sincerely at having
been induced to publish the letters as Mr. Par
nells, or to use them in evidence against
him; This expression of regret in
cludes also the letters falsely attributed
to MIR. Egan, MIR. Davitt and Mr. O'Kelly. 1t is
scarcely fitting now to enter into the circum-
stances under which we received and pub
nshed them. We are bound, however. to point
out that Pigott was not the person with whom
we communicated: Moreover, we must add that
we nrmly believed the letters were genuine
until the disclosures made by Pigott on cross
examination. 1t must be evident to all reason
aDle persons that If a conspiracy existed the
Times was victimized by and not party to it.
Errors In Judgment may have been committed
and for them the penalty must be paid 1t
must be clearly understood that what we have
done IL altogether upon our own responsibility
and IN the public interest alone. This with
drawal, OF course, refers exclusively to the let
tiers obtained from Pigott''
Plg0tt Is not in Paris. It is believed he
posted his letter to Shannon at the railroad
station at Paris and then proceeded to Spain or
Switzerland.
LETTERS ON WHICH THE FoRGERIEs WERE
FOUNDED.
Mr.. Patrick Egan has made public at Lincoln,
Neb., a number of letters on which Pigott
founded his forgeries. In February. 1881, Pig
OFT wrote to Egan that an attempt had been
made by two agents of Dublin Castle to get him
to publish in his papers, the Histmdn and Flag
or ireland, plausible but utterly fictitious set
OF land league accounts. Later Pigott wrote
what Mr.. Egan considered threat, that unless
money was furnished him he would close with
the government, and Mr.. Egan refused to sup
ply the five hundred pounds demanded
CONTEMPLATING Mr.. PARNELL,
MIR. Parnell was besieged by people who
wanted to congratulate him in the lobby of the
house OF commons yesterday. Mr. Parnell has
come to no definite decision regarding his
future action, but he is determined to follow
Sir Charles Russeli's suggestion.
In connection with Mr. Parnell's application
to the Dublin courts for permission to bring
suit against the Times for libel, that paper has
instructed its solicitors to oppose the granting
OF writ on the grounds that similar action
brought by Mr.. Parnell in the Edinburgh court
was dismissed, and that the trial would inter-
fere with the commissions investigation Mr..
Parneil's legal advisers will strongly resist the
argument of the Times