MEN OF ULSTER

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 67, 20 March 1914, Page 7

MEN OF ULSTER

HUNDRED AND TEN THOUSAND CONVENANTERS READY IMMEDIATELY

EIGHTY THOUSAND RIFLES AVAILABLE. (By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyright.) (TIMES AND SYDNBV SUN SERVICES.) (Received March 20, 8.10 a.m.) LONDON. 19th March. Ulster possesses a hundred and ten thousand covenanters, men in the prime of life, who are divided into sixty-five battalions. They have been organised on a demo, cratic basis, electing their own officers and having a signalling corps. They are able to reach the furthestpoint in Ulster in four hours. Eighty thousand rifles are available, the bulk being entrusted in parcels of five to selected men, who have dispersed them in all parts, together with ammunition. The men can be ready immediately. The military correspondent of the Observer comments on the intelligence and dash shown at the nightly drills of the Ulster volunteers. He declares that it is probable that the whole of the volunteers could be mobilised and concentrated anywhero in Ulster in a shorter time than the British regulars would require to mobilise. (PRESS ASSOCIATION.) POLICE SURVEILLANCE. CAUSING EXASPERATION. (Received March 20, 8.10 a.m.) LONDON, 19th March. The increased police surveillance ia causing exasperation in Ulster. GOVERNMENT PRECAUTIONS. BARRACKS BEING GUARDED. NAVY FORCES MAY BE USED IN PLACE OF ARMY. LONDON, 19th March. The guards have been strengthened at Armagh Barracks, the Antrim garrison headquarters, and Carrickfergus Castle, which is used as a Government storehouse for arms and ammunition. The staff is actively dispatching ammunition to the various military centres of Ireland. The Daily Telegraph says that if the Lords amend the Army Act forbidding the employment of troops in Ulster, it will make the Act a dead letter, and the Government will then utilise the naval forces to suppress the disturbances in Ulster when the Home Rule Bill has been passed. . CENSURE MOTION SITUATION MORE DANGEROUS THAN EVER QUESTION OF REFERENDUM. PREMIER DOES NOT GIVE DEFINITE PROMISE. (Received March 20, 11 a.m.) LONDON, 19th March. Mr. Bonar Law, in moving his censure motion, said that in view of Mr. Churchill's speech, and Mr. Asquith's approval, the situation was more dangerous than ever. It was not true > that the Opposition demanded details in order to obtain a larger target for its fire. If Mr. Asquith chooses to introduce his suggestions into the Bill and submit them to the country for a referendum, Lord Lansdowne would be willing to use his influence in the House of -Lords to offer no objection in carrying out the people's decision. If it was only a question of disorder the army would, and ought, to obey, but if it was civil war, the soldiers were citi- • zens like the rest of the people. Mr. Asquit'i dissented from the proposition regarding the army's duty, but agreed that bloodshed was never justifiable if there was another course. He asked if the referendum favoured the Government would it^carry authority for the Government to coerce Ulster? Mr. Bonar Law (Leader of the Opposition) nodded asse.it, amid loud Ministerial cheers. Mr. Bonar Law added that he would be. willing to accept a referendum without plural voting. Mr, Asquith concluded Hs speech without giving a' definite promise regarding a referendum. Sir Edward Carson asked, if the Government was in earnest, why it did not exclude Protestant Ulster until Parliament had otherwise ordered. The Government's proposals in their present form vere not worth Ulster's consideration. If the Premier gave a firm offer of a referendum they would be prepared to accept its decision. Mr. J. Devlin (Nationalist member for West Belfast) followed. He accused Sir Edward Carsoa of commencing life as a Nationalist and deserting to the enemy. Sir Edwaid Carson interjected: "That is an infamous lie." The Speaker intervened, and Sir Edward Carson substituted the words "A wilful falsehood." Mr. Devlin continued his speech, declaring that the proceedings in Ulster were a masquerade and a sham. motion defeated government majority of ninety-Three. .? (Received March 20, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, 19th March* Mr. Bonar Law's censure motion was defeated. r The voting was: — For the motion... ... 252 Against „.• ... 345 MR. BALFOuiTsUMMONED. (Received March 20, 11 a.m.) LONDON, 39th March. The House of Commons was crowded when Mr. Balfonr, who wn» hurriedly summoned from Cannes, enteied during tho debate. He was loudly cheered. AN AMENDMENT MOVED. LONDON. 19th March. Mr. D. V. ritie (Liberal) gave notico of an amendment to Mr. Bonar Law's i censure motion, in favour of tlir- exclu- | sion of Ulster until a general p>st.om of devolution for ihe United Kingdom has been provided. INTERVIEW 'WITH THK KING. (Received March 20, 11a.m.) LONDON, 19th March. The Prime Minister (Mr. Abquitli) had a prolonged inturview with the King prior to the debate, also with Sir Arthur Stanifordham (Private Secretary to His Majesty), who wu 5 present fcluouKhout Ijha fecent debates;.