The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-07-04
THE PARNELL COMMISSION,
Mr, DaVItl Continues Ills TeStImOpy-sOme
Plnin Talk,

LONDON, July 3,-Mr. Davitt Contin
ued his testimony before the Parnel
Commission to-day, He stated that h
would not object to joining any move
ment to secure the independence OF Ire
land, II such a movement was backet
by force strong enough to justify thu
hope Of Its success,
Mr.. Davitt said he did not approve O.
the Clerkenwell explosion. He re-
gretted the attack on the prison van in
which brave policeman was killed, but
applauded the men who made the at
tack for trying to save their friends
While in prison he concluded the
movement by secret societies would do
no good, and when released he held a
conference with the Irish Leaders, Re-
publican Brotherhood in Paris regard.
ing the advisability OF an open move.
ment. Mott Harris, one OF those with
whom he conferred, had given permis-
sion for his name TO he diVulged, but at
present the witness could not divulge
the names OF the other Irish Republican
Brotherhood Leaders without their per-
mission,
Chief Justice Hannen said that At.
torney General Webster was entitled to
press the question as to what others
were present, but could wait until the
end Of the examination 10 do so.
Witness further said that he failed to
win the Irish Republican Brotherhood
leaders to approve Of the adoption OF an
open movement with the exception OF
Harris. lie intended 10 make the land
question stepping stone to the inde-
PendenCe of Ireland, treating the land.
lords as an English garrison. The
Leagues land programme, witness said,
had now become the programme Of the
Tory government. laughter.
MIR. DaVitt refused to say whether or
not Mr., James O'Kelly, member OF the
House Of Commons for the North Divi.
sion OF RosCommon, had been engaged
to distribute firearms, and declared that
he did not know whether the trustees OF
the skirmishing fund, DR.. Carroll and
Messrs. Breslin, Luby, Dewey, Burke
and Rossa, belonged to the Clan.na.G Gael.
There Is hue and cry against the Clan.
na.Gael in America for political pur.
poses. Witness declared that he must
DO careful what he said, but hG would
say that they are all extreme National
lists. Mr.. Davitt said that many persons
opposed his scheme on the ground that
II the people became tenant farmers they
might become lukewarm In the cause Of
independence. A majority OF the people
then opposed Fenianism and secret so.
Cieties. lrish.AmeriCans objected to the
scheme, holding that it would give the
politicians too much power. Witness
had converted many Nationalists TO his
views.
Attorney General Webster read reso.
lutions demanding the overthrow Of the
British domination and the establish.
ment Of an Irish Republic. Mr.. Davitt
admitted that he was present at the meet
ing In America when the resolution was
adopted. He stated that he did not dis.
sent. He said: ~ am republican by
principle" The resolutions were cableL
TO Mr.. Parnell, but never reached him.
Witness had never discussed them with
Mr. Parnell. Mr.. Davitt said: "Mr.
Parnell and | differ because Mr.. Parnell
Is opposed 10 complete separation, but II
he got his measure through l would
loyalty support 1t. II he was successful
the demand for separation would
eventually die" Continuing the witness
said he had made Gfty speeches in
America in which he asked the extrem-
lists TO try Mr.. Parnells movement.
The league was founded as the peo-
ple's league. 1t then got into the hands
Of politicians. Witness disapproved oi
the appeal OF Americans TO support the
nationalist fund which Attorney Gener.
al Webster had read. Witness ever ap-
proved Of the diminishing fund. Mr..
Davitt said that while he was CORES.
pondent OF the Irish World he used the
expression spread the light" meaning
simply TO circulate the paper. Witness
disapproved Of much that the man
signing Transatlantic" wrote. Mr.
Parnell entered the court room while
Mr.. Davltt was testifying and remained
until the session closed.