The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-05-28
IRISH PAPER
IS SEIZED
Foul Attack on the
Sovereign of
Britain.

/ LONDON, May 1.-THE Times says
THE irish People" was seized after
publication, and many copies had been
sold 1t contained a foul and obscene
attack on the King In connection with
the action OF Archbishop Vaughan and
the English Catholics recently In pre-
senting "A royal address The libel was
comparable In falschood and bad taste
/ to the worst outbreaks OF the French
gutter press during the Fashoda period.
In the House of Commons, Mr..
Wyndham. Chief Secretary for ireland,
said the seizure was effected without a
warrant under the common law. He
had authorized the preservation of ev-
idenCc and the prevention of crime
by stopping the further dissemination
of seditious libel,
Mr.. John Dillon. in moving the adj
journment of the House. did not at
tempt to Justify the language used by
the paper, but censured the suppression
of freedom. Neither the Viceroy of
Ireland, nor Mr.. Wyndham, nor the
House Of Commons was competent to
judge what was sedition. 1t was a
question for the courts.
Mr.. Redmond in seconding the
motion, said the Executive was in re-
ality attempting to suppress the United
Irish League.
Mr.. Wyndham, in replying, claimed
personal initiative and responsibility
for seizure. Thee publication was a
gross and scandalous libel. He would
not soil his lips by reading the out
rageous. scurrilous, loathsome and
false attacks on the King, and offend
the ears of members of the House
and wound the feelings of millions of
the Kings subjects throughout the
world. Not only would the Government
suppress 1t, but it was the duty OF any
loyal subject to intervene. The libel
was couched in language fouler than
any used abroad in regard to the late
revered Queen. A prosecution would
probably do more harm than good.
Mr.. Balfour. in the course of a
speech, asked: rs the publication OF
an obscene libel a necessary weapon
of political agitation?"
The question was received with an
cry Nationalist protests.
Mr.. Balfour continued: why then,
did what is described as their leading
organ stoop to use the foul and poi
sonous weapon of seditious and OBJ
scene libel?" Mr.. Balfour went on to
say that owing to his very high po
sition the King was less able than any
of his subjects to repel attacks. A gross
offense against decency and morals had
been committed IF the Nationalist
We're aggrieved the courts were open
to them. The suppression of nauseous
attacks on the private character of the
Sovereign did not affect the great and
sacred cause of the freedom of the
press.
Mr.. Asquith re-echoed Mr.. Balfour's
sentiments.
The motion for adjournment was
by 252 against 81.
Ten Radicals voted with the minority,
and a number of Liberals and Radicals
abstained from voting. Directing to Mr..
Wyndham acting judlcially and the po-
lice not being furnished with warrants.
The bulk of the Liberals voted with the
"The Irish People" has made a long
series of attacks on the Government
and the Empire.
There Is a consensus of opinion that
the latest article will create antagon- |
ism between the English Catholics and |
the United Irish League.