THE DYNAMITE FUND.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1294, 17 December 1886, Page 3

THE DYNAMITE FUND.

A mysterious meeting of Irishmen has been held in New York (the ‘Standard’s’ correspondent says), of which various accounts are given:— “ H is known that a double pass word was required from persons attending the meeting, and that other precautions are taken to insure the absolute se.reey of the proceedings. Notwithstanding these, howover, little doubt can be entertained that the meeting, was a conference of eleven ‘ camps' of the Glaii'ua-Gael, which are practin cally in rebllion against the central au i hot i ty of the J rish National League. Thev are dissatisfied with the quantity of dyuamrth that was supplied in return for the 80,000dol. contributed,

of which sum there remains a balance in hand ol only 4,000d01. No accounts have been furnished by the central authority, and the complaint is that the only revolutionary work done was that of the 24th January, 1883, when the explosions took place in the Tower of London, in tne House* pf - Commons, and in. Westminster Hall. I have been told since the close of the Chicago Invention that this disappear- . ance of the funds was Spoken of at that convention as a deficit in the funds of the League which constituted a real grievance; but all public allusion . to it was suppressed from a feeling of loyalty to theJLeague. Another subject discussed at the recent meeting was whether the three positions—namely, membership of the League, membership of the Olan-na-Gael, and •: the profession of an American politician —were compatable with each other. The prevailing opinion was that they could not be hejfl consistently by the same person ; but it is believed that n<» decision was arrived at, the discussion being adjourned to another** meeting. The quarrel is described as being very deep-seated. Some ■ influential branches have refused to continue to send money to a central body the members of which are unknown. "The • expulsion of these branches gave the control of the funds to the Devoy faction ; and their rein* statement has resulied in Derby’s expulsion. The renewed attempt now being made to effect a concentration of the finds has pfovoked an inquiry as to the use to which the half million dollars already received has been put The amount is arrived at in this way: there has been a monthly contribution of 10 cents by each member for nineteen years, and the number of nfembers has been nearly 20,000. The only reply given to the inquiry is that soma arms have been purchased and buried in Ireland ; and that some money was expended upon a scheme to kidnap Mr Gladstone as a hostage for the life of the mail O’Donnell, when the latter was awaiting his trid for the murder of the informer Carey. Such stories as these, however, cannot be traced to any responsible source,”