IRELAND ARMING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1801, 14 July 1913, Page 7

IRELAND ARMING.

MILITARY DISAFFECTION' FEARED, Br Tolosraph—Braza Aanootatlon—Copyright (Sydney "Sun" Special-July 13, 6.30 p.m.) London, July 12, Uneasiness is felt regarding the troops in Ireland. It is feared that if tho Home Rule Bill is forced through, many officera and men will (resign and join the Unionist forces. The workers at the shipyards have been armed, and gums aro being distributed to clubs in outlying districts.

' BELFAST COUNTING THE COST. The writer of a series of special articles J!™# published in "The Times" on the Ulstermens objections to Homo Rulo stiitod that, even though the arguments from race and from religion had to be abandoned, Home Rule would, in the eyes of the economists of Ulster, still present a serious danger. Thus tho visitor to Belfast is quickly informed that the business relations of tho city and .its manufacturing environs aro far closer with Scotland and the North of England than they are with tho I risii South. Whatever tho cause, _ North-East Ulster is, in comparison with the other parts or Ireland, an active and a busy place. The "hardheaded business man'' of the North may be wrong in his theories and analogies; when, however, speaking from direct experience and knowledge, ho asserts that Homo Rulo contains an immediate menace to the prosperity of Belfast, dt is another matter. We have all heard, of course, that Belfast is tho fourth port in the United Kingdom in respect of revenue from Customs; that its contributions are more than double thoso of the rest of Ireland; that it boasts of tho largest shipyard, of the largest distillery, of the largest ropework, tobacco, and linen factories in the world. It follows that an Irish Government in want of money will put a hijjh tax upon Belfast. The point that his not been discussed is this: Can Belfast afford to pay for Homo Rule? Whero there's a will, perhaps— and naturally tho pride of Ulster prefers to declare that tho will is lacking, not the way _ But there is no doubt that sharp competition has recently affected Belfast, and, according to rumour, credit lhas deolined. About half tho trade and manufacture of Belfast is oonductod on borrowed money, and, excellent as tho soourity has hitherto been, there is loss capital in the town than there should bo. Sinco the margin between profit and interest is small, thio slightest shaking of credit becomes a serious matter, and it lies been freely stated of late that "banks and financiers aro either withholding their credit or increasing their interest on advances," This, then, eecms to bo tho crux: Ulster could, no doubt, pay tho nccossary taxes if hor credit were not impaired; but her credit is already impaired, because it is obvious that tho taxes will bo necessary. Tho nearer Home Rulo approaches, it is contended, thus mOTe difficult will it bo for the manufacturers of Belfast to borrow capital upon possible terms. Those concerned cannot sponk quite freely on the subject; but it is common knowledge that certain Belfast manufacturers intend, in the event of Homo Rule, to romovo thoir factories elsewhere, and are actually in negotiation for 6ites ill England. Thoir follows, to whom such a course is closed owing to the nature of their undertakings, are likely to liavo counted the cost of tho resistanco which they threaten.