New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-03
MIR. DAVITT ON THE STAND.
HE GIVES HIS OPINIONS OF SOME IRISH
AMERICANS,

orANNA-eAEL But NOT SANCTIONED
BY THE LEADERs-THE PHOENIX
PARK MURDER.
London, July 2.-Michael Davitt was examined
before the Parnel Commission to-day lie de-
-Ss-ed that there no truth In the account
given by lie Caron before the Commission con-
cerning the proposals of John Dewey being SUBJ
mitted 10 Mr. Parnen Mr. Psrnell had nothing
to do with the witness's vislt to America in S7S
Mr.. Davitt said that he had intended to make
another visit 70 America on lecturlng tour IN
order to raise money TO help the agrarlan move
ment
Mr. Davitt stated that while in America he at
tended meetings Of the Clanna-Gael, at which he
explained the objects of the Land League and tried
70 win the Clan-na-Gael to its support. The
CIan-na-Gael, he said, included some of the best
irishmen in America. 1t no more murder
club than was the Carlton Club of London There
was no alliance between the Clan-na-G Gael and the
League in Ireland The League movement In
America won the support Of all the Irish IN
America to Mr.. Parnell. The witness said he
never met a better man philanthropist and
Christian than Patrick Ford. He was very sorry
that for few months after the League was es-
tablshed Mr.. Ford openly advocated the use OF
dynamite. Mr.. Davitt wrote to him eXpostulatng
against his Endorsement of such a line OF action,
and ultimately Mr. Ford returned to the policy
adopted by Mr.. ParnelIs followers and now
honestly advocates constitutional agitation The
witness said he himself was opposed TO the use OF
dynamite because it was an immoral and unmanly
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 oil
." The Irish World" in Ireland. Mr. Ford sent
comics over throug gh the Spread the Light Fund.-
and witness paid the postage. The League ana
not circulate the letter of John Dewey on New
Departure,' extracts from which were quoted by
Attorney-General Webster, counsel for Ihe
Times
MURDERS BY MEMBERS OF THE CLAN4NA-GAEL'
Mr. Davtt continued: Beyond stating publicly
in New-York in July, 1882 that had severed my
connection with the revolutionary body, L en-
pressed no dissent of the Fcnians did not attend
any meeting of the Clan-naGael after 1880.
believe that murders were committed by members
of the Clan-na-Gael but the perpetrators certainly
did not have the sanction of the governing body,
nor the approval of the leaders When l was
organizing secretary l communicated with the
member of the Supreme Council for my district
Attorney-General Webster" Who is he ?'
Mr.. Davitt-"I cannot tell you. 1t would be
a gross breach of trust TO divulge his name. If
he is still in business in England he might be
ruined if the fact of his connection with the
council became known"
The Attorney General said he would not press
the question now.
The witness, continuing, said that in letter
which he wrote he had used the word pen,' mean
ing revolver, He declined TO say to whom the
The. -Attorney-General-." Was it Arthur For
rester ?"
Mr. Davitt-"I cannot say without possibly
injuring "a man who greatly wronged me-"
Presiding Justice Hannen said the court re-
spected the motive for the w1tncss's reuccncc,
but could not recognize il as an excuse for not
answering.
TRYING 10 PREVENT A MURDER.
Mr., Davitt thereupon explained that
the man TO whom the letter was
written had conceived hatred of another
member of the League and wished 10 murder him.
The witness wrote to him appearing to sanction
the act he meditatcd. but really to gain time
until he could write 10 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" The witness wrote
TO the two superior officers about the matter. lie
could not tell their names lie beileNeo tl3t
both were now in America. Mr.. Davltt SAID the
dear friend TO whom was addressed the letter IN
which the word PEN appeared was was, now IN
America and he now publicly appealed TO him
TO allow him to dlVulse MS lIalne'
HIS. ESTIMATE OF ALEXANDER SULLIVAN.
Mr.. Davitt said he had known Alexander
Sullivan since 1873, and had the highest opinion
of his ability as a lawyer, his character as
ritizen and his honor as a man. He did not be-
Eeve him TO be capable of any dishOnOrable act.
The witness returned TO Ireland from America
in December, 1850. He had then framed and
issued a circular to the Irish people, and had
delivered thirty speeches denouncing outrages
He believed outrages were due to the agitation Oh
local agrarian bodies composed chiefly of sons OF
small tenant farmers. When he was released from
prison on May 8, ss2, Mr.. Parnell and Mr. Dillon
had informed him that they were hopeful OF
change in the Governments policy. He was glad
that there was prospect Of agitation ceasing lie
disliked agitation, and would Willingly abandon
il tomorrow if he saw some justice done TO Ire
land He could not abandon it otherwise.
In reference to the Phoenix Park murders Mr
Davitt said: Mr. Parnel came TO me on the Sun
aav following the day OF the murders, utterly brok
en down dt the news. lie said 'DaVltt shan sehu
nv resignation TO Cork tonight retuse 10 s,ay
in the moV ement when lrreapOnslD!c men, Oh Who'1
we know nothing, can come behind our BACKS anu
perpetrate such deeds. 1t took all my lIiiiuehGe lI
TO dssuade him from resi- gn1ng. we lniHeuiaucS na
had circulated throughout Gland "A manifesto con-
demning the murders. There was absolutely 10
ground for the suggestion that OF any Oi ns
colleagues were IN any way prly W uie o'iuio'
THH WORLDS SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTloN'
London, July 2.-The Worlds sundaS-school Con-
vention opened its sessions in London to-day. There
are 300 foreign delegates present, including over
300 from the United States. Lord Kinniard de
lvered address Of welcome, and Count Benstorff,
~ Berlin, and the Rev. DR.. Cuyler, of Brooklyn,
Responded in behalf of the delegates from the
European and American continents.
The convention is sitting In DR.. Parkcr's " Temple
sem
modate the delegates. AT the afternoon session Mr.
Besey elected president of the convention A
discus sion was held on Organized School Work
and Mr.. Moore spoke OF school work among the