THE ULSTER CRISIS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16358, 30 September 1913, Page 8

THE ULSTER CRISIS.

A SUGGESTED OPTION

' COULD BECOME AX IMPERIAL PROVINCE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. . LONDON, September 28.-

Sir Edward' Carson, addressing the Ulster Volunteers at .Belfast, said that he did not "doubt that if driven by force thev could establish a provisional Government, and if they stood firm they •would never have Home Ride.

The ".Nation " suggest* that Ulster should have the option of becoming an Imperial province. If it became dissatisfied after h fair trial, it could agree Home Rule. . ■ ' LIBERALS READY TO LISTEN. THE PROPOSED CONFERENCE. LONDON, September 28. The Right Hon A. Ure, Lord Advocate, of Scotland, speaking at Uphill,, said that the banks would treat the provisional government like a South American republic and it would fall by its own weight. For a few weeks there had been talk of a conference. Mr Asquith and h» colleague* were always ready to listen to suggestion* to make Home Ride palatable to Ulster. They were prepared to •" listen, favourably to a proposal to give " her control of her own education and religion, and could have it put into words so as to remove all Ulster's doubt and timidity. He rejoiced at the indications of a friendly compromise. NOT ALL BLUFF.

A LIBERAL MEMBER'S VIEW. ' ' LONDON, September 28.

Mr, J. M. .Robertson, M.P., speaking *t Tyneside, said that he did not think the : language of Ulstermen was all bluff. The policy of a separate canton for Ulster, which seemed fo him the possible solution a decade ago, was now unworkable.

Mr P.' J. lllingworth, M.P., announced that the Ministers' visit was devoid' of political significance.

THE ULSTER VOLUNTEERS

SIR EDWARD CARSON'S REVIEW LONDON, September 28.

Mr James Bryce visited Dublin)and returned to Belfast. 'He was not present at Sir Edward Carson's review. la Saturday's display fourteen battalions divided into four regiments representing the various quarters of Belfast, made the most notable display seen since the agitation began.

J£R REDMOND BREAKS SILENCE

GREAT NATIONALIST DEMONSTRATION.

ULSTER MOVEMENT A GIGANTIC

ABSURDITY. (Received September 29, 11.40 p.m.)

LONDON, September 29

breaking "silence fop the first time fln.ee Lord Lorebum's letter, Mr Redmond received an ovation at a great demonstration at Cahircireen. He declared, responding to addresses, that nothing was more certain than that the people were on the eve of liberty. Even Sir Edward Carson, Lord Londonderry and Captain Craig were busy on the Nationalists' side, but only as humorists, reminding one of the children's game, "Let us pretend." They resembled 80 many Poobahs. ; Mr Redmond, addressing a meeting, said that the whole agitation in Ulster was a gigantic absurdity. The Nationalist* w«r# silent, while their enemies were shrieking Carsonite threats in desperation'due to the conscidtisness of failure/ Lord Lo'reburn's suggestion served to bring out the implacable, irreconcilable character of the Orangemen's opposition. Mr Redmond added that,-un-less the Unionist* conceded the principle of an Irish Parliament, and an Irish Executive responsible to it, he w6uld not agree to a conference. He concluded: "Our ship is at the harbour's mouth. The glass is at ' Set Fair,' and tike orders are, 'Full steam •head.'"

NATIONALISTS WILL GO ,» STRAIGHT ON.

NO APPEAL TO .COUNTRY

Mr Redmond,'in a special interview with a representative of the "Daily Chronicle," *aid that the Nationalists will go straight on. They did not inland, in the moment of victory, to throw the whole business into the melting pot.

Asked concerning a general election

between the passing of the Bill and the date of ite ooming into operation, he replied that it. was unthinkable. It would be stupid and cowardly. He was perfectly, satisfied that the Government never-had, ami had not now, any such intention. If it did appeal to the country in such circumstances, it would be appealing under the plural voting handicap, which must.never again be ac- . eepted in a great political struggle. His forecast was that the Government would go the full length of it* tether and .pass the three great measures— Home Rule, Welsh disestablishment and plural voting—and then proceed to the problems of reform of the House of Lords and redistribution, which was the moat likely question on which the country's next verdict would be taken. Sir Edward Carson's Provisional Government was a orassly stupid idea, involving, among many drawbacks, the cessation of all Imperial grants. Prior to Mr Redmond's meeting, the oollapse of a section of the platform precipitated a hundred persons, including Mrs Redmond, to the ground. Nobody' wa« injured.

NO OPEN CHEQUE.

* SIR SAMUEL M'OAUGHEY'S

DENIAL

(Received September 29, 8.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, September 29.

§ir Samuel M'Cnughey denies that he tabled authorising Sir Edward Carson to draw to an unlimited extent on his bankers. He says that he forwarded a cheque by letter, but cabled no money or authority to draw on h» bankers. " That " he said, " would be too much. It'might break me."

AN APPEAL FOR A CONFERENCE. •• fimw "—Sydney " Sun " Special Cables. /Received September 29, 7.30 p.m.) (Keceiveu yfigfog gept emher 29. ' The "Times," in a leader urging the Nationalists to consent to a conference •ay* they have not yet realised that Ulster i« moved by one of those deep, elemental, unreasoning passions which always in the end upset the calcula- . tions of politicians. Ihe result of such an explosion can only be a, disastrous Wev of racial and sectarian hatred ta Ireland and a profound -eaction in Britain from the policy provoking it.