THE ULSTER CRISIS.

Mataura Ensign, 3 July 1914, Page 5

THE ULSTER CRISIS.

ARMED WOMEN'S CORPS. TO PROTECT HOMES. 01 ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH COPYRIGHT. PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. Received July- 3, 10.45 a.m LONDON, July 2. In owlor to protect homes Rev. AValter Henry 'Scott (Canon of Derry) lias organised a corps of armed women at Brookfields, near Omagh. The London papers picture them armed with rifles. GOVERNMENT IN IRELAND. QUESTION IN THE COMMONS. ! Received Julv 3, 10.45 a.m. j LONDON, July 2. In) the House of Commons Rt. Hon. A. Birrell's (Secretary for Ireland) attention, was called: to the fact that the I lstor Volunteers are carrying arms in the streets. He replied that at the present time Government action would be unwise. Hon. Neil Primrose (Liberal memlber for North Cambridgeshire) asked, "Does the Government give any signs of its existence in Ireland?" PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT. IN EVENT OF HOME RULE, Received July 3, 10.43 a.m. A conference of the Unionist Council twill lie held at Belfast on July 10 in order to discuss the establishment of a Provisional Government 1 in the event of Home Rule becoming law. "AMENDING BILL A FREAK." LONDON, July 2. in the House of Lords the Marquis of Lamlsdowne (Leader of the Opposition) describes the Amending Homo Rule Bill as a freak worthy of a place in a museum for constitutional curiosities. Kxelusion was only tolerable as a cure for worst evils, 'but the Opposition did not intend to brush aside "the Government's overtures. He was not ashamed to ibe terrified at the spectre of civil war.- His aim and object was simply to produce a scheme which would: prevent the stain of disgrace and bloodshed. ' Viscount Bryce said that it was not likely that exclusion would take place; but some form of it was necessary to allay the apprehensions of Protestants. Personally he would 'have preferred some form of local autonomy for the north-eastern counties. HOPEFUL FEELING. LONDON, July 2. Thel conciliatory tone of the speeches of Viscount Morlev (Lord President of the Council) and the Marquis of Lansdowne has created 1 a hopeful feeling of settlement. The Government supporters note Lord) Lansdowne's disclaimer of any intention to propose through the Amending Bill any drastic changes of the Home Rule Bill apart from Ulster. Lord Lansdowne also gave the impression £hat the Unionists would confine their amendments to a broad principle, leaving! the Government to work out details. This will necessitate conferences between the parties after the House of Lords has passed! the Amending Bill. THE EXCLUSION OF COUNTIES. LONDON, July 2. The 'Daily Mail' (0.) says, "Mr A-squith favors excluding Antrim, Down, Armagh and Londonderry without a ilciHot, .although a minority! of the Cabinet, opposes the concession. It i> possible that the Protestant parts of Tyrone and Fermanagh will also, foe included in -Ulster. The Standing Committee is in. favor of the total exclu-sion-of" Six counties as a basis of peace, and also the withdrawal of the timo limit. It is probable that the Nationalists will accept these concessions if rrtoney is given to compensate them for •the loss of Ulster." RIGHT TO CARRY ARMS. LONDON, July 2. An order has been issued allowing volunteers to carry arms at the discretion of their commanding officers. The order adds that any attempt to seize the arms of an individual is to be resisted.