The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-05-04
Mr.. pARNELL MAKES A SENSATION
BY Admitting that He Told What was
Not the Truth.
An Attempt to Deceive the House OF
Commons In l89I.
Books and Papers Of the League
Which Are Missing.

LONDON, May 3.-Before the Parnell Com
mission today. Mr.. ParnelPs cross-examina-
tIon was continued. Mr.. Parnell denied
that he knew No. l. either under the name
Of lyman or any other name. He said he
never heard Of Egan's being associated with
"The Martyrs Fund for the benefit Of the
families Of the Phenix Park murderers He
saw nothing criminal In the fund, and rather
thought 1t right 10 assist those innocent vic
tins. He could not. he said. recollect de-
nounclng outrages between 1878 and 1881.
He believed the outrages perpetrated we're
the work Of small secret societies. Here oc-
CURED a most remarkable incident in the
witness's cross-examination.
Attorney General Webster quoted state
ment made by Mr.. Parnell In the House Of
Commons during debate on Mr.. Fosters bill
In 1881 on suspending the writ Of habeas
corpus, to the effect that secret societies had
then ceased to exist In Ireland. "Dld you
believe that when you said it?" asked the
Attorney General.
''No," replied Mr.. Parnell "At any rate, 1t
was grossly exaggerated statement"
A buzz Of surprise went throughout the
court room at this response.
"Did you or did you not, continued the
Attorney General, 'intend to misstate the
facts when you made that statement?"
II have no doubt did" was the reply.
The Attorney General-"D Deliberately?
Mr.. Parnell-"Yes; deliberately"
The Attorney General-"Y0u deliberately
made the statement, knowing it to be un-
truef"
Mr. Paruell-"Yes; If not untrue. very sx-
travagant and boastful"
The Attorney General-"And you have
never since withdrawn it?"
Mr.. Parnell-"NO; have not.
The nOnehalanee with which the witness
made these admissions astOnished the audi
ence and ELECTED Kisses.
Probably" added Mr.. Parnell, ''the
statement was meant to mislead the House.
am afraid 1t did not, for the bill was
passed. My purpose was To exaggerate the
effect the League had In reducing the mum
doubtedly diminished the number Of secret
societies, though 1t had not swept them away
as stated"
Mr.. Parnell was asked what had become
Of the Land Leagues books, and explained
that some were brought to London and were
before the Commission. The cash books
and ledgers had disappeared, and he did not
know where they were. Neither were
Treasurer Kenny, Mr. Egan nor any other
OF the League officials able 10 tell what had
become Of them. The letter books and files
Of letters had also vanished.
Presiding Justice Hannen impressed upon
the witness the fact that the court attached
great Importance 20 the missing documents,
and Mr.. Parnell promised TO try 20 ind
them.
Wreck Of the AddIe Benson.
HALIFAX, May 3.-A telegram has been
received here, stating that the brigantine
AddIe Benson. Capt. Curry, Cow Bay. G. b..
which sailed hence last January for Cuba.
and was given up for lost. was wrecked of
the northern coast Of South America. The
crew were saved and landed in Norway.
Foreign Notes.
The court at Falcarragh, Ireland, has sem
fenced Charles COnybeare, member Of Par
lament. to three months imprisonment
without labor. for eonspiring TO oppose the
law. Notice Of appeal has been given.
Prof. Harrison, arrested on a charge Of
assisting besieged tenants at GwedOrp, has
been discharged from custody.
Count Herbert Bismarck gave dinner In
Berlin yesterday afternoon, TO the Samoan
Commission and the members OF the British
and American legations.
Y The Freeman's Journal OF Ireland states
that the Marquis of Ormonde will succeed
Lord Londonderry as Viceroy Of Ireland.