DISCUSSION IN THE LORDS LORD MORLEY'S POSITION

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

DISCUSSION IN THE LORDS LORD MORLEY'S POSITION

DECLARATION TO BE MADE TODAY. THOSE HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS LONDON, 31st March. In the House of Lords, in a series of replies to questions, Lord Morley, Loid President of the Council, stated that Sir Arthur Paget did not receive instructions to put hypothetical questions to the officers. Beyond a general order granting leave to officers domiciled in Ulster if their unit weTe ordered to support the civil power, no instructions were given to Sir Arthur Paget. The conduct of the troopa generally had been exemplary. Lord Morley related that he remained after the Cabinet had dispersed on Monday and Colonel Seely showed him the proposed paragraphs. He did not perceive then, and he did not perceive now, that they differed in spirit or substance from the previous- paragraphs sanctioned by the Cabinet. Lord Morley confessed that he joined in the offence against a sound Cabinet rule. The addition, by right, should not have been made without the authority of the Cabinet. Lord Curzon asked, as Colonel Seely had Tesigned, why Lord Morley was still a Minister. Lord Morley i "I shall answer that to-morrow. THE SURPRISE OF HIS LIFE. Lord Selborne said he thought that Mr. Asquith's explanations were incompatible with the established facts. He was glad that the Premier was going to the War Offico, as he would probably get the greatest surprise of his life when he found what hie colleagues had really been doing. Mr. Asquith could not have issued his statement of 23rd March if he had been fully informed. His reference to two small cruisers was incompatible with Mr. Churchill's movement of a battle squadron. What had Mr» Churchill in mind when he contemplated using the whole paraphernalia of war at a time when Ulster was profoundly tranquil? It was perfectly clear that active operations were intended, leading to all the incidents of war. Lord Selborne asked the Government to tell what really happened on the fateful day when £|ir- Arthur Paget met Colonel Seely and some of his colleagues in London. Why Sir Arthur Paget'a terrible apprehensions at the mere movement of four companies? Was it intended to instruct the constabulary to (search for arms and to back them up by all the naval and milita,ry forces? Mr. Churchill now sought to create a diversion by raising the cry of "Tho Army versus the people." Mr Churchill's statement that tho Unionists considered it right that the soldiers should shoot down a Radical or a Labourite was a foul falsehood. LORD ROBERTS DEFENDS THE ARMY. _ Lord Roberts said that baseleea assertions had been made that the Army was implicated in a political conspiracy. There were also equally vile and slnnderous charges of disobedience and disregard for discipline. , Lord Roberts added that there was not the smallest justification for any of these incidents The officers were asked to make a % choice between two terrible alternatives. The option was not e>onght by them. It wa6 deliberately instigated by the Government through Sir Aithur Paget. The Government evidently reaJifced tiiat they were making a demand on Hie Army which they had no right to make and contemplated something which wafe not provided for in the Army Act, or the King's regulation*, the answer lo which could be found in Hie "Manual of Military Law/-- which 6*ys

that the English law never presilpposes the possibility of civil war and does not make express provision for such contingencies. OFFICERS MISLED BY UNIONIST PRESS. Lord Haldane agreed that it was wrong to bring the Army into politics. There was no more splendid or more loyal body of men in existence, but a large number of the officers raised a big issue at the Curragh. They did not disobey orders, but they raised questions about the orders which may be. 'given them. A great armed force had been raised in Ulster. Yet it was suggested that the Government's duty was to do nothing. The Government had gazed in patience on utterly illegal drilling in Ulster because it felt that it was better not to interfere, but it became an impeiative duty to have instruments at hand to maintain order if a conilict occurred. A battle squadron had been sent to Lamlash, as a preventive measure, and had been withdrawn when it was found that the troops could be peaceably moved. It was deplorable that a. number of unfortunate officers had been mislea uy the suggestions of the Unionist press. The sooner the incident was ended the better it would be for the Army. [On 23rd March Mr. Asquith denied that it was ever intended to issue warrants against the Ulster leaders, nor was a general inquisition as to the officers' intentions contemplated, inasmuch as the Government hoped tlujjb the contingency of the employment of troops against Ulster shall never arise. Mr. Asquith hinted the Ministers' belief that the resignations were due to an honest misunderstanding. BrigadierGeneral Gough and others had been erroneously given the impression that it was intended to move troops against Ulster immediately. The resigned officers accepted Sir Arthur Paget's assurance that their duties would be confined strictly to police duty in the event of the regiments moving north. J