THE ARMY AND ULSTER

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 April 1914, Page 5

THE ARMY AND ULSTER

MINISTERIAL PLANS UNFOLDED. NAVY TO CO-OPERATE WITH ARMY. [BY electric telegraph—copyright-] LNODON, April 23. The revised White Paper includes the Admiralty orders to the Third Battle Squadron and 4th Destroyer Flotilla to go to Lamlash, the Pathfinder and Attentive to Gibraltar, and the Royal Arthur to go to Kingstown on 21st March and embark troops for Carrickfergus. The Attentive'? captain was directed to land in plain clothes and go to Carrickfergus to confer with the commander at Holyrood barracks regarding eventual co-operation of the Army and Navy. The orders added that Carrickfergus must be defended even if naval guns were necessary. General Paget in a written statement on April 2nd., details a conference with seven brigadiers and senior officers at which he explained the Government's plans and asked whether he could rely on them in all eventualities, but he did not intend the question to be passed to subordinates. General Paget explained that he obtained concessions for the officers, who might i'eel the position deeply. With Field-Mar-shal French's help the officers domiciled in Ulster were permitted to disappear, but others not prepared to carry out their duties would be dismissed. General Paget added that Colonel Seely hoped that there would be few cases of officers claiming exemption. General Paget states that he <loes not know how the misunderstanding arose, but it is easy to see that it was a natural step to infer that something in the nature of an alternative was to be put to the officers. At any rate certain officers left the conference under a wrong impression. General Paget- concludes by accepting the responsibility for the misapprehension. The Times states that the White Paper establishes the fact that serious operations were in full swing when Mr. Asquith intervened. Mr. Asquith was in ignorance of his colleagues' plans until the crisis they provoked came -to a head. Mr. Asquith, in reply to questions, said that no member of the Cabinet had promised the Navy's help in the recent crisis. The movement of the battle squadron from Arosa Bay to Lamlash was never intended to be part of precautionary measures to safeguard Ulster depots. He suggested to Mr. Churchill that in view of the excitement in England and the fact that precautionary measures had to be carried out, that the movement of ships should r je delayed. ■ Mr Eivcne Mason asked whether the Government would afford an opportunity to discuss a motion calling on Mr. Bonar Law to substantiate or withdraw Jus charges. Mr Asquith replied that ho was uncertain what the. charges were.. II formulated he would give such an opportunity. Mr Bonar Law said that he had made the charges in the plainest terms, but wonldrepeat them next week.on a motion calling for an impartial inoun.v.