LORD ROBERTA'S APPEAL

Press, Volume L, Issue 15014, 8 July 1914, Page 9

LORD ROBERTA'S APPEAL

DREAD OF CIVIL CONFLICT. (Received July 7th, 9.45 p.m.) LONDON, July 7. Ten "Dieharde" voted in favour of Lord Willoughby do Broko's motion for the rejection of tho Amonding Bill. Lord Roberts i tho present crisis affected the very roots of tho national cxistonco. Any attempt to use tho military to coerco Ulster would broak and ruin tho Army. Ho urged all in the cause of patriotism to drop party differences and to seek a national solution to avert an inexpressible disaster to the Army and tho nation. Lord Curzon said ho favoured a convention, but time was too precious, and the tension too acute to allow of that course being followed. Tnoy could not advocate these solutions when the tramp of armed men could bo heard. The Amending Bill must fill the gap till a permanent settlement had been devised. Lord Crowe said if tho dropping of tho Home Rule Bill and the scrapping of the Government's policy were to bo preliminary to a conference or a convention for a permanent settlemont, such a proposal could not be entertained. Ho askod the Opposition if tho total exclusion of Ulster were inqluded in tho Bill, would they giyo a guarantee against civil conflict. He was not ashamed to say that he heartily dreaded the idea of civil conflict.