IRISH AFFAIRS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1573, 26 April 1887, Page 1

IRISH AFFAIRS.

Lomdon, April 21. Referring to the Parnell letter, the Times says: “No one asks him to prove the negative, bat let him force us to prove the positive, or in default of our being able to do so to be punished for publishing the letter.” Messrs Morlsy, Childers, and Sir W. V. Harcourt adopt Mr Gladstone's view that Mr Parnell should not proceed against the Times. The St, James’ Gazette has a telling article, in which is reproduced Mr Gladstone’s and Sir W. V. Harcourt’s language used by them in *lBBl, in which they declared that crime dogged the footsteps of the Land League, and their assumption that a connection existed between the language used by Mr Parnell and the League subsequent to the crimes. Mr Gladstone advises America and the colonies to agitate against coercion. April 22.

Pressure has been brought to bear on Mr Parnell to test the authenticity or falsity of the Times’ letter in Court, but without success. Mr Gladstone and th>' members of the Liberal party suggested the force of having such an inquiry, but Mr Parnell’s supporters opposed it. Mr Parnell has gone to Dublin, iu order to geek for a clue to the author of the letter. Lord Salisbury, in strong comments on the subject, declares that the Parnellites have been guilty of violent and reckless language, which has been the means of instigating murders, and a Urge wing of the party has utilised the murders to carry on Nationalist agitation. It was absolutely necessary that Mr Parnell should vindicate himself. April 23. In the House of Lords to-day, the Irish Land Bill was read a second time without a division.