The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-09-19
BOTH SENSATIONAL AND IMPROBABLE.
A New Theory Concerning the Muir
der Of Or. Cronin.
Scotland Yard Detectives Led to
Believe He Was Spy.
They Then Killed Him to Prevent
Exposure Of Their Methods.

CHICAGO, September 18.-The Evening
Mail tonight prints sensational article in
regard to the Cronin case. 1t says that
lawyers for the defence claim to be in pos
session of evidence showing that the mur-
derers of DIR. Cronin were paid representa-
tives of the English government, who had
been duped by Cronin, who was supposed
by the British authorities to be one of their
American spies. This evidence consists of
a number of letters written by Miss LeCaron.
daughter of the notorious witness in the
London Times's Parnell case, to her affianced
husband, known and prominent young
IrIsh-American Of Chicago. These letters
were written by Miss LeCaron from London
at brief intervals ever since she Joined her
father in that city last winter, after he had
appeared as a witness before the Parnell
Commission. The story as outlined in the
series Of letters, of which there have been
very many, is to the effect tnat LeCaron and
Birmingham were both British spies; that
Cronin in his intimacy with them soon learn
ed their real character. and, in order to OBJ
tain from them fuller insight as to their
plans and duplicity and the designs of the
English government. permitted them to
think that he also was venal and could be
hired by their employers. Finally, how
ever, they became suspicious and sought to
obtain from him certain papers which they
had given him in his supposed character OF
a spy. Cronin refused 20 yield and threat
ened the exposure OF English practices in
America. The Scotland Yard people grew
desperate. 1t was resolved to rob him Of the
papers, and it was in that attempt that the
Doctor was killed, the conspirators believ-
ing that he always carried the much-wanted
papers on his person.
The Chicago Times prints a story which
70 in oh
rent for some time concerning misapplica-
tlon of Clan-na-G Gael funds by the secretary
of that organization, Thomas III. Ronayne of
New York The charges are made in this
instance by James Tierney Of Brooklyn,
treasurer of the executive board of the or
der. Under date of September II Tierney
wrote letter to DIR. p. Curran Of this city,
senior guardian of Camp No. 265, acknowl-
edging the receipt of the titles from Camp
No. 265 for the May term sent to him direct,
and saying that he had received no percent
age from Secretary Ronayne for the term
ending May 81. Tierney says Ronayne will
turn over to him no money because he
(Tierney) refused to pay a printing bill of
$1.100, and because he gave $500 to two mem
bers of the executive board.
DIR. Curran presented the letter at a meet
ing of Camp No. 265 Monday evening, and
moved that resolution be adopted denounc-
ing the action of the secretary of the execu-
tive board. and calling for an immediate
meeting Oh the executive DOaru TO investigate
the matter. DR.. Curran's motion was lost,
and he then resigned his Office Of senior
guardian.
Quarterly, each camp through the United
States makes up an account of all mon eys
coming into the camp during the term.
Ten per cent. Of that entire
amount is laid aside by the treasurer
of the camp and in time turned over
by him to his seEior guardian. This 1.-THE of
all sums received by the camp is in turn for
warded by the senior guardians of all the
camps to the secretary of the executive
board. The aggregate receipts of all these
percentages goes into half score or more of
funds, at least so it is alleged by the board,
for the furtherance Of home rule in Ire
land.
The money is sent directly to the execu-
tive secretary, and under the constitution
should be turned over by him to the
treasurer. Ronayne refuses to turn over
any more money to Tierney. and the
latter retaliates by informing the camps
that the funds they have forwarded have
never reached him. In this way the effect OF
the deadlock in the executive board will be
extended through the order, and merry
time Is in view.
The Times story characterizes
Ronayne's conduct as evidence
of misappropriation OF Clan
funds by the present heads of the organiza.
tion, the repetition of acts similar to those
which DR.. Cronin threatened to expose, and
thereby met his death.