WILL ULSTER FIGHT?

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 75, 25 September 1912, Page 7

WILL ULSTER FIGHT?

It/ is still impossible to believe that Ulster will fight (writes the Sydney Sun's London correspondent under date, 16th August). The Unionists, led by Mr. Bonar Law and Sir Edward Carson, continue to declare that Home Rule would certainly be followed by civil war, but the general belief is that all the bellicose talk is mere bluff. Nevertheless, the open t incitement to bloodshed is causing anxiety to Liberal leaders. The position is extremely delicate. The intention of the Unionists is to force the Government to take repressive action, in the sure knowledge that public opinion would immediately swing round in favour of the Ulster men if their leaders were arrested on charges of treason and their country placed under military rule. But the Cabinet is not likely to do anything rash. ... When the supreme moment comes, if it does come, Mr. Bonar Law wilt doubt* less counsel the acceptance of the new conditions, with the promise that amending legislation will be introduced immediately the Unionists obtain office. But it is quite conceivable that the rank and file of the movement will disregard this injunction and will dash into revolution. Mr. Winston Churchill summed up the position in characteristic language > in a letter written to Sir John Ritchie, the chairman of the Liberal Party in Dundee. "No doubt it is true," wrote Mr. Chnrchill, "that these foolish and wicked woxds go far beyond the intentions of the speakers, and that they would be unspeakably shocked and frightened if all this melodramatic stuff in which they are indulging were suddenly to explode into real bombs and cannon, if the ground of this peaceful kingdom were strewn with English and Irish corpses slain in fratricidal strife, and if instead of eagerly expecting to kiss hands on obtaining office there waß nothing before thenft but the bleak outlook of a felon's cell or place of execution. They would be very glad to get back from such a nightmare to their perorations under the comforting protection of the police and of the law." The Unionists profess to believe that Home Rule has not been squarely placed before the electorate. They ask for another General Election upon the specific question of the government ot Ireland. It is quite certain, however, that if a' General Election does come it will not be fought upon this issue, for the simplo reason that the British pub* lie is stone cold on the subject. It is extraordinary that an issue which has so long vexed the great political parties should at this crisis in its fortunes be regarded with indifference so complete. You rarely hear the subject mentioned, except for the sporting speculation as to whether or not there will be fighting in Ulster if the Bill is carried.