THE IRISH CRISIS

Evening Star, Issue 15480, 30 April 1914, Page 6

THE IRISH CRISIS

MORE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPLANATIONS. MR ASQUITH'S PREDICAMENT. WILL RELY QN A PARTY WHITEWASH. Fress Association—By Telegraph—CopyrightLONDON, April 29. In the House of Commons Mr Chamberlain complained that Mr Asquith had stated! that general orders were given as far back as December in order that officers domiciled in Ulster might disappear. Mr Asquith interjected : " That was told me, and I made the statement in good faith." . ~ Mr Chamberlain accepted Mr Asquith s statement. Summing up the charges against the Government, he said it appeared that the Government assumed that conciliation was hopeless unless they made an overwhelming display of force. It was difficult to know which of the statements now supplied to Mr Asquith was the true one. He concluded by suggesting that the Prime Minister should not accept a whitewashing vote by the aid of the party majority, but should insist on a judicial inquiry into the dark and tortuous proceedings indicated by the Leader of the Opposition. MR CHURCHILL'S REPLY. SOME STORMY SCENES. "LONDON, April 29. Mr Churchill said the object of the Ulster army showed that if the veto of the Lords had gone, there still remained the veto of force. After the rejection ot Mr Asquith's offer to Ulster it was clear that those who were preparing ttiT war had other purposes outside .Ulster. They were preparing to Veto the general policy of Home Rule. Nothing would be more disastrous for the Opposition than to suppose that they and their _ Ulster friends were, the only persons in the country prepared to risk their lives. After what occurred in Ulster, could anyone say that the measures which the Government had taken were premature and unnecessary? The Ministry had proclaimed the right to put British troops in Ulster and the right to arrest leaders. Unless Ulsteimen took life first, their own lives were not endangered. He asserted that the first axiom British justice demanded was that a complainant should come into court with clean hands. Sir E. Carson and Captain Craig, M.P., had come fresh from gun-running exploits. (Ministerial cheers ) Sir E. Carson shouted: "Wo did not tell lies about them." Ministerialists: "Oh, Carson, behave like a king." , „ Sir E. Carson: "You behave like cad^ Mr Churchill retorted that? the Opposition, fresh from their gun-Tunnmg exploits, now demanded an inquiry into the action of those responsible for the preservation of law and order. A Unionist Member: "Why not arrest the criminals?" . Mr Churchill: " That is the complaint. We have been too lenient. That is the only accusation I am unprepared to answer." He did not believe that civil war would ever come, but if rebellion occurred they must pub it The key to a peaceful settlement was in bir E. Oarson's hands. Sir Edward ran great risks for war; would he not run some risks for peace? He thought peace with honor was possible. If Sir E. Carson would say boldly: "Give me amendments. I ask for safeguards for Protestant Ulster," everyone would be found ready to commend his decision, and save the country from evils for which their children would hold them accountable. Colonel Seely had stated that he told General Paget to carry out certain movements of the troops. General Paget replied " I will do so,' but as a result of a grave commotion in Ireland the Government took another . view. General Paget replied: "Suppose I'm I right; suppose I meet with armed resistance ; shall Ibe supported ?" The answer was that all the forces of the Crown were available to support law and order. Not a man disobeyed any order. It was admitted that a document in the hands of General Gough contained a definite declaration of a policy that was wrong, and he doubtless handed it to a particular officer. The debate was adjourned. MR ASQUITH SILENT. "LONDON, April 29. Sohie surprise has been expressed that Mr Asquith did not make a statement in the House of the Government's policy with regard to recent Ulster developments. A further Ministerial conference has taken place. The Oppositionists hope that Mr Asquith will amplify Mr Churchill's federal hint. Mr J. E. Redmond stated in the lobby that he would not support anything involving the exclusion of Ulster. Unionist papers emphasise the significance of the change in Mr Churchill's tone. The postponement of the Budget in consequence of recent Ulster developments has been confirmed. SIGNIFICANT: MR REDMOND SENT FOR. TONTJON, April 28. Mr J. E. Redmond was called in for consultation with Cabinet. The meeting was adjourned till next morning. A Ministerial offer is expected, possibly leading to an early dissolution. HELP FOR NATIONALISTS. MOVEMENT OF TROOPS. LONDON, April 29. In spite of police vigilance, six motor cars distributed over 300 rifles in County Monaghan yesterday. A detachment of Inniskillens, with two Maxims, left Oma-gh to-day for the Magillican camp at Londonderry. The Nationalist volunteer movement in Dublin is growing, and receiving financial support from America; Young Nationalists urge an immediate extension of the movement in order to meet force with force. THE GOVERNMENT'S RUDE AWAKENING. (London ' Times' and Sydney' Sun ' Services.) LONDON, April 28. In the House of Lords the Marquis) of Lansdowne said that during the past two years Ulster h,ad been a most peaceable province, because the volunteers' discipline had resisted the most violent provocation. The Government had now suffered a rude awakening. He dreaded a collision between the Ulster volunteers and the. Army, for it was difficult to say which were the more loyal subjects. Eminent legal advice is to the effect that Ulstermen are not open to conviction, for the reason that they are merely preparing against a possible contingency. MR CHURCHILL ON LENIENCY. THE GOVERNMENTS ONLY SIN. LONDON, April 29. Mr Churchill, in the course of his speech, declared that the censure motion was uncommonly like a censure motion passed by the criminal classes on, the police. A Unionist Member: " You have not arrested them!" Mr Churchill: " The complaint that we have been too lenient is the only accusation I am not prepared to answer." THE NAVY AND ULSTER, LONDON, April 29. (Received April 30, at 9.25 a.m.) There axe now 11 warships in Belfast Lough.

MR CHURCHILL'S OFFER. THE MOST IMPORTANT YET MADE. LONDON, April 29. (Received April 30, at 9 a.m.) .The non-adoption of retaliatory meas--1 ures by the Government against the gunrunners is attributed to the persuasion of the Nationalists. When interviewed, Mr Redmond said: " If Sir E. Carson doe 3 what Mr Churchill suggests I will endeavor to effect an honorable settlement." Captain Craig (interviewed) said that "Mr Churchill s offer is the most important advance towards peaco that has yet been made." LIBERALS INDIGNANT. WANT PUNISHMENT, NOT CONCESSION. THE PRIME MINISTER EXPLAINS. "THE OFFER IsTIR CHURCHILL'S, NOT OURS." LONDON, April 29. (Received April 30, at 11 a.m.) Many Liberals are indignant with Mr Churchill's offer, which is interpreted as the exclusion of Ulster until the United Kingdom is federalisecl. The 'Daily Chronicle' (G.) says the offer has caused dismay, and has more the air of weakness than magnanimity. The 'Westminster Gazette' (G.) welcomes the offer. The ' Manchester Guardian' (G.) is unfavorable. The ' Liverpool Post' (G.) says that Liberal members are bewildered. They expected the announcement of drastic measures, instead of which the Government offer fresh suggestions of peace. The House was crowded to hear Mr Asquith's statement. The Prime Minister said : Mr Churchill has made the offer on his own account, not on behalf of the Government, but so far as he has invited Sir E. Carson to make an offer in the spirit indicated I heartily sympathise with it. SIR E. CARSON'S REPLY. " I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GUN-RUNNING." ULSTER WILL NOT BE FORCED IN. LONDON, April 29. Sir E. Carson said that the violence of Mr Churchill's speech gave them a gleam of hope, as he had always played the role of a demagogue when making an offer towards a settlement. He (Sir E. Carson) took the full responsibility for the gunrunning episode. It was nothing new. They had said two and a-half years ago that Ulster would resist by force. He had already gone far towards meeting Mr Churchill when he had eaid that Ulster would not complain if the Federal system were adopted in Ireland as part of a Federal system for the United Kingdom. In that case Ulster would get equal treatment, and there would be no moral justification for resistance. He would also say that, much as he detested and feared Home Rule, if it were set up it would be his earnest prayer that it might be such a success that Ulster itself would seek to come in, but she would never bo brought in forcibly. THE WARSHIPS SALUTED. LONDON, April 29. (Received April 30, at 11 a.m.) The Ulster volunteer signalling station saluted a cruiser and ten destroyers ae they were entering Belfast Lough. The flotilla replied "Thank you."