Was It An English Plot?

IS IT A CUNNING ENGLISH PLOT?

The Chief Gain Is to the Tory Government - The Harm to the Irish Cause.

CHICAGO, May 26. - The News prints the following: The possibility that the English government, through its secret agents, may have had something to do with the Cronin mystery is not being lost sight of. Irish-Americans generally, with this thought in view, have been closely watching developments. One well posted gentleman said: "Scotland Yard has a finger in every Irish pie. It would be queer indeed, if the Cronin business proved the first exception. Improbable, you say - not a bit of it. Who would have believed beforehand, for a moment, in the horrible truth about Pigott?" There was an instance where, with the funds of the British exchequer, the highest Tory officials joined in the far-reaching, cunningly devised plot to destroy the Irish movement by ruining the leader, Parnell.
"Now," said the speaker, warmly, "who is the beneficiary in this Cronin business - who is the loser? Let it hurt or help what single person it may, the chief gain; immeasurably, is to the Tory government of England; the main harm far exceeding the disgrace of any individual, is to the Irish national movement in America."

Nearly a Million at Stake.

CHICAGO, May 25. - The Herald says the amount confided by Dr. Cronin to the care of Alexander Sullivan while chairman of the executive committee of the Clan na Gael in 1884, is stated by men who know, and who are recognized as both intelligent and honest, to have been $850,000. At that time Mr. Sullivan, as chairman of the ex-committee; controlled absolutely the actions of the clans in the United States. Mr. Sullivan with D.C. Fealey of Rochester, N.Y., and Michael Boland of Louisville, Ky., constituted a majority of the committee of five. It is said that Sullivan and his two supporters secured the adoption of a rule requiring all funds to be forwarded to them, alleging that an imperative demand was expected very soon, which would not allow delay, and in which much money would be needed. As the funds had been raised for the sole purpose of assisting in revolutionary efforts; which, in their nature, must be conducted with secrecy, no great objection was made to the transfer of the funds.

The Funeral Will Be Sunday.

The friends of the murdered physician are busy preparing for the funeral, which will take place Sunday.

Source: Winona Daily Republican, May 25, 1889, Page 1