THE PARNELLITE COMMISSION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1984, 31 October 1888, Page 2

THE PARNELLITE COMMISSION.

[per press association.]

London, October 23. Sir R. Webster reiterated the statement that the Parnell letters were authontic, and admitted that they woro purchased by tho " Timeß." The proceedings have been opened m the action Parnoll v tho " Times " m the Courtrof Session, Edinburgh. London, Ootobor 25. Sir R, Webster, m his opening address, said that tho money subscribed m America m aid of the Land League was withheld until Davitt could induce Parnell to approve of the violent programme drawn up. London, Ootobor 26. tfir R. Webster, m concluding his opening speech, stated that he intended to call persons convicted of tho perpetration of outrages m Ireland as witnesses boforo tho Commission. London, Ootober 27Sir R. Webster, iv his opening ad.dress before the Commission, produced tho original of tho famous letter. Ho intimated that ho proposed to provo Parnell's repugnanco to sign tho manifesto condemning tho Phoenix Park murders, and stated that ho was m pos session of certain documents supplied to a clerk, who bad until recently been employed m tho central offico of the National League, which would provo that tho outrages were paid for, and that Mr Foster's name was mentioned. One of tho letters was subsequently read to show that it was ingeniously constructed m order that quito another meaning could bo attached, and that nothing like personal outrage was suggested. Altogether there aro 400 witnesses to bo examined. Tho " Pall Mall Gazotto " declares that tho documents m possession of tho Attorney General camo from different eourpes, and that whilst partly gonuino they aro partly bogus productions, tho vendors being uncertain whether thp "Times " would keep their namos secret. They offered the documents to several London papers for £1000, and the " Times " closed for a higher figure. i Tho Parnoll dofenoo fund amounts to £11,000.