HOUSE STARTLED MR. ASQUITH'S DRAMATIC DECISION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 77, 1 April 1914, Page 7

HOUSE STARTLED MR. ASQUITH'S DRAMATIC DECISION

THE REFERENDUM QUESTION UNIONIST LEADER EXPLAINS. A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE. (By Telegraph.— Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, 31st March. The House of Commons was startled by Mr. Asquith's dramatic decision. The Premier indicated that he would hold the position of War Minister temporarily. Mr. Donar Law referred to the impropriety of Mr, Asquith's absence during the Home Rule debate. Mr. Asquith replied that he was close at hand and in touch with his colleagues. (Received April 1, 8.10 a.m.) LONDON, 31st March. Mr. Bonar Law, referring to his nodded assent to Mr. Asquith's question on the 19th March, that if a referendum favoured the Government, would it carry authority for the Government to coerce Ulster? explained that what he intended to say was that if the electorate supported the Government, he and the Unionists would not be justified in encouraging Ulster in resistance. Mr. Bonar Law added that whether or not the Government was justified in coercing Ulster was a matter for its own conscience. [Mr. Bonar Law, in moving his censure motion in the House of Commons on the 19th March, 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 chose 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 citizens, like the rest of the people. Mr. Asauith 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 favonred the Government would U carry authority for the Government to coerce Ulster? _ Mr. Botiar Law (Leader of the Opposition) nodded assent, aniid loud Ministerial cheers. Mr. Bonar Law added that he would be willing to accept a referendum without plural voting.]