FEDERAL OR DEVOLUTION IDEA INCREASING SUPPORT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 71, 25 March 1914, Page 7

FEDERAL OR DEVOLUTION IDEA INCREASING SUPPORT.

PREMIER WILL GIVE FULL CONSIDERATION. (Received March 25, 8.10 a.m.) LONDON, 24th March. The idea of Federal or Devolution settlement finds increasing support in several newspapers. > Mr. W. H. Cowan (Liberal membei for Aberdeenshire East), asked the Premier to consider the exclusion of Ulster pending a general scheme of devolution. Mr. Asquith replied that he was anxious to give the fullest consideration to any proposal likely to affoid common grounds of agreement. The Moderate Liberals are Abating Mr. Cathcart Wason'e suggestion that if sufficient M.P 's of all parties support the self-exclusion of tho northern counties until a federal system has been established, probably both Ministerial and Unionist leaders would accept the proposal. i COERCING ULSTER IMPOSSIBLE TO CALL ON ARMY. SIR A. PAGET AND GENERAL GOUGH RETURN TO IRELAND. (Received March 26, 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, 24th March. Sir Arthur Paget and General Gough have returned to Ireland. The opinion was generally expressed in the lobby after Mr. Asquith's speech that it is now impossible for the Government to call upon the army to coerce Ulster. Many Liberals and Nationalists are disappointed at the Government not accepting the resignations. THOSE RESIGNATIONS MATERIAL DOCUMENTS TO BE PUBLISHED MATTER TO BE FURTHER DISCUSSED. LONDON, 24th March. Colonel Seely has promised to publish all material documents relating to General Gough's resignation and reinstatement. Mr. Asquith added that the documents would include the written instructions ,to Sir Arthur Paget. The whole question, he said, could be discussed on the second reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill tomorrow, o THE PUBLIC WANTS TO KNOW. LONDON, 24th March. The Daily News says the public wants to know the conditions under which General Gough returned to Ireland — are they conditions of unqualified or optional obedience? If the army is a Tory institution ttfe Liberals, the News declares, will break it as they broke the House of Lords. PAGET THE SCAPEGOAT GOUGH THE MAN OF THE HOUR. (Received March 25, 10 a.m.) LONDON, 24th March. Unionist papers declare that Sir Arthur Paget (Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in Irelajnd) has been made the scapegoat, and hint at the possibility ,of his resignation. They acclaim General Gough as the man of the hour, and laud his band of officers, who, they declare, saved the country from disaster The newspapers state that the War Office verbally assured General Gough yesterday that the cavalry were lequired only to assist to preserve law and order in Ulster. He asked for a written assurance, which was granted. General Gough then agreed to resume,, and telegraphed to his regiment that-,all officers would be reinstated without loss of prestige. The Daily Mail adds that General Gough telegraphed to the officers at the Curragn on Sunday, after his first visit to the War Office : — "We have found strong support on this side, and believe we shall come through all right 1 if we stand firm." The Daily Chronicle states that "it is useless for the Government to tell us that the officers did not strike. We all know they did. Their action raises the question : 'Are army officers to dictate to Parliament what Bill shall not pass?' The evil will grow with tolerance. Not a few good judges think that if thenplaces could be filled by other officers who treat their profession more seriously their revolt would be ti blessing in disguise." > . Tho Chronicle's lobby correspondent says I hat many Liberals disliked even th'r appearance of surrender to military influences. Tf ilie Government adopted nn iron hand and sent the i coign ing (ifficers about tlipir business it would havo been miicli more agreeable to most of thoir siippoiten. The situation in Ireland has been badly handled. Colonel Seely has not revered himself with gloiy. WHEN UNDER THE PEDANT. MUST OBEY ORDERS. (MM2S i\D SYD.\t\ {.UN SFR VICES.) LONDON. 24th March Loul Charles Beresl'oid, in a letter, auyo Hint w tang a<* «rti«ei» (mi<4 m«n «rq gaiet (he gcujuub tfaijr uuit> gjtfy.

orders. He believes that many of the best will resign, involving the stoppage of their pay and pension. When a reaction comes, lie is certain that the country will restore them to their positions. BERLIN, 24th March. The newspapers attribute the Irish trouble to the evils of democracy, emphasising the dangers of a voluntary military system. * j WHEN THE BILL REACHES THE LORDS T. P. O'CONNOR'S PROPHECY. NO DEVELOPMENTS TILL THEN. (TIMES AND SYDNEY SUN SERVICES.) (Received March 25, 8.10 a.m.) LONDON. 24th March. Mr. T. P. O'Connor, M.P., in a special article in Reynolds's newspaper, prophesies that there will be no developments in Ireland until the Bill reaches the Housp of Lords, where some of the Carsonite proposals will be embodied. The House of Commons will reject them, and send the Bill back to the Lords, where they will be accepted, and then the Home Rule struggle will' commence. ! * (PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ! LIMIT OF PATIENCE REACHED. TORY ATTEMPT~TO SPLIT THE ARMY. ' LONDON, 25th March. Liberal papers declare that the Tory attempt to split the army has failed, and further declare that the limit of patience has been reached.