IDLE CHALLENGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16352, 23 September 1913, Page 6

IDLE CHALLENGES.

Nothing would better suit tho book , of tho Ulster militants than an opportunity to poso as the victim/? of coer- j cion or oppression. That is why Sir Edward Carson is openly defying the , law /and challenging the authorities to j arrest him and why tho military organ- ' isation of the Ulster Volunteers is being advertised by all the methods known to tho publicity agent. Mr F. E. Smith is simply lending a helping hand to his good friend Sir Edward when I he predicts civil war in England as i soon as tho Government orders tho Army to " march on Ulster." What is really feared by the men who are preparing to coerce Ireland is not force but inaction. They are alarmed lest tho whole of their elaborate campaign should end in a tame and dispiriting wait, long enough to enable Northcast Ulster to realise the inconvenience of rebellion and tho harmlessness of Homo Rule. Naturally the Imperial Government is refusing to consider the possibility of troops having to march upon the province. If Sir Edward Carson formed his " provisional Government" after tho passing of the Home Rule Bill the ordinary wheels of administration would continue to revolve and ho could not interrupt them without bringing ruin upon the business men of Belfast. Tho actual trouble would begin when his followers refused to pay taxes, but the defaulters would be called before tho courts in the usual way and interference with the course of justice would simply produco chaos in North-east Ulster. Sir Edward might force a conflict by producing disorders of a serious kind, but he would havo to take the initiative at every stage and would nnd it very hard indeed to maintain an appearance of being a victim of cruel oppression. Probably the common-sense of Ulster and of the country at large will prevont him even making a beginning with the dreadful things he is threatening.