A CROWDED HOUSE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVIII, Issue 70, 24 March 1914, Page 5

A CROWDED HOUSE.

STATEMENT BY COLONEL SI2ELY..

"A BOLT FROM THE BLUE."

LONDON, March/23. The King has cancelled his visit to the Grand National meeting. He gave aii audience Bto Sir Arthur Paget. • * " , The House of Commons was crowded, and Mr Asquith and Mr Lloyd George were cheered. Oppositionists raised cries of i'Limehouse." Mr Asquilh. in reply to Mr Bonar Law", promised further facilities for discussion of the Ulster situation after Colonel Seely's statement, if Mr Bbnar Law thought it necessary. Colonel Seely stated that some officers had informed Sir Arthur Paget that they would not serve in certain eventualities. This arose through a misunderstanding, and these _ officers • had been ordered to rejoin their units. The movement of troops was solely to protect Government arms and ammunition.

Mr Bonar Law asked for further discussion, but Mr Asquith' moved the adjournment of the House.

Mr Bonar Law1 said that it was a most amazing instance of the Government paltering with the House of Commons. The danger of the army being destroyed before its eyes came on the Government like a bolt' from the bine. He had received proof that .other than* cavalry regiments had tendered their resignations. He read a letter stating that officers not fighting against Ulster would be dismissed. The Government's moving of the troops was a foolish action, as no new situation had! arisen.

Mr Bonar Law said it was difficult for;Mr Asquith to convince the House that -with or-without his 'knowledge some of his colleagues' had not made a movement of troops as part of a concerted plan to provoke or intimidate' Ulster.