22 SEPTEMBER 1906, Page 2

The Times published on Tuesday a remarkable article "from a

correspondent" on the " MacDonnell Mystery." Though the article avowedly represents and vindicates the attitude of the Irish Unionists, and shows none of the reserve adopted in the editorial columns in regard to the action of Mr. Long, the prominence given to this communication is not without significance, in view of the damaging insinuations which it makes against Mr. Balfour. The gravamen of the indictment is to be found in a paragraph which recalls Mr. Wyndham's statement that Mr. Balfour was aware of the peculiar circumstances which made Sir Antony a "colleague" in the administration of Ireland. "In his letter to Sir Antony of September 25th, 1902, he [Mr. Wyndhamj

writes I ciphered the purport of your letter to the Prime Minister and received his concurrence by telegram yesterday.* That cipher and that telegram in reply have never been pro- duced. They are manifestly very material documents, if any honest effort is to be made to clear the situation." The writer concludes by remarking that it seems almost incredible that Mr. Balfour could have sanctioned the appointment if all the facts of the case were fully brought to his knowledge, and that it is still more incredible that he assumed this grave responsibility without consulting his principal colleagues,— especially Mr. Chamberlain and the' Duke of Devonshire.