PACIFIC SPIRIT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9766, 3 April 1914, Page 5

PACIFIC SPIRIT.

—'— HOPEFUL BI6NS IN IRISH CRISIS. FEDERAL SOLUTION GROWING IN FAVOUR. {Bi Euctbio xeugbaph—Coptbight.) (Peb Press Association.) Received April 3, 8.45 a.m. LONDON, April 2. The newspapers contain many suggestion* for a pacific settlement. It is understood that both Ministerialists and Unionists are examining the same plan providing for the exclusion of Ulster, pending Federalism or devolution. Each side proposes to bring a plan before Sir Edward Grey and Mr Bonar Law respectively. CALMER TONE IN THE COMMONS. SEARCHING FOR COMMON GROUND. LONDON April 2. A calmer tone prevails in the House of Commons. Sir Stanley Buckmaster (Solicitor-General) said however strong their opinions were both sides ought to 6eek for common ground whereon, without tho abandonment of any pledge or principle, some reasonable arrangement could be made to enable the principle of the Bill to be carried out. The Irish movement, no longer a conspiracy, would be crushed out by constitutional demand, which believes that constitutional Government cannot disregard it. PROMINENT UNIONISTS' APPEAL. Sir Mark Sykes (Unionist M.P. for Hull), urged the exclusion of Ulster pending the completion of the Federal scheme. An election now would be won by either side to its ruin. If the Liberals won they would havo a mandate to coerce Ulster, and if tho Unionists won they would have a mandate to thwart tho Irish hopes of thirty years, which were on the eve of fruition. Sooner or later there would be bloodshed. Nationalists had gone to prison for their lonviction6. He appealed that if there was a chance of settlement they should make use of their commanding political position and not press good men too far. A CONGREGATIONALIST'S OPINION. The Rev. Silvester Home (M.P. for Ipswich and a leading Congregation alist minister) said he believed that Home Rule would strengthen the people's power and would prove an important weapon against the priestly power in Ireland. MR BALFOUR'S VIEW. DOES NOT BELIEVE IN CUTTING UP KINGDOM. NATIONALISTS STILL WANT ULSTER. Received April 3, 10.40 a.m. LONDON. April 2. Mr Balfour, in the Commons, said the Government's action had paralysed Parliament and the country. The House was nominally discussing Home Rule, but really the hope of avoiding civil war was the issue. It had been said that the tone of the debate was conciliatory. That did not. mean that the Commons were agreed, but it meant that the Commons were frightened. He contended that the referendum suited the present crisis. There was no explanation to the Government's aversion to a general election unless they had a definite understanding with the Nationalists. He did not believe in the cutting up of the kingdom, but invited the Government to indicate the broad lines of their Federal policy. It was essential that Ulster should not be placed under tho Dublin Parliament. Mr T. P. O'Connor (Nationalist) declared the Ministerialists and Nationalists would not accept a referendum and a general election would not produce a settlement. The Nationalists would not consent to Ulster's permanent exclusion. He repudiated the jxratponement of Home Rule pending the completion of the Federal scheme. STILL ANOTHER SOLUTION. A SELECT COMMITTEE. LONDON. April 2. Lord Hugh Cecil has given notice of motion to refer the Homo Rule Rill to a Select Committee of thirty members to frame suggestions for the exclusion of the whole or part of Ulster. NO CONTEST FOR EAST FIFE. MR ASQUITH MAY BE RETURNED UNOPPOSED. Received April 3 8.45 a.m. LONDON. April 2. Jim Larkm (the Dublin Labour leader) will not oppose Mr Asquith in the East Fife by-election. The Opposition leaders recommend that there shall 'be no contest. Received April 3. 11 a.m. LONDON, April 2. The Unionist* of East. Fife have decided not to contest the election with Mr Asquith unless circumstances change. THE ARMY. MEETINGS OF PROTEST. Received April 3. 8.45 a.m. LONDON, April 2. Several political organisations are promoting meetings of protest against officers bring, as alleged, induced to refuse obedience to lawful orders grounds. "IMMEDIATE." A WORD THAT CHANGED A SPEECH. LORD CHANCELLOR ADMITS TAMPERING WITH HANSARD LONDON, APRIL 2. Replying to Lord Midleton, Viscount Haldane (Lord High Chancellor) admitted altering the Hansard report of his speech by adding the word "immediate,'', making him say no order would oe issued for "the immediate coercion of Ulster." He did so to prevent misunderstanding, because newspapers wrenched a sentence from its context, and had given bis speech a different meanLord Lansdpwne, commenting, said the House understood from the speech that no orders for coercion were contemplated. It was a rude shock to find this unqualihYd statement altered. THE FANNY'S CARGO. ON THE WATCH IN ULSTER. LONDON, April 2. The police and coastguards at Ulster have been ordered to watch for tho steamer Fanny, from Copenhagen (which has a cargo of arms). A Customs officer states that lie removed the Fanny's papers and an Englishman aboard attempted to bribe him to keep silent. The vessel then sailed without her papers for Hamburg. Advices allege that the rifles are destined for South America. GENERAL DOUGLAS SUCCEEDS GENERAL FRENCH. AS CHIEF OF STAFF. SIR IAN HAMILTON SUCCEEDS GENERAL EWART. LONDON, April 2. General Sir Charles Whittington Douglas succeeds General French, and Geneivl Sir lan Hamilton is expected to suociwl General Ewart General Sir Charles Whittington Horalry Douglas was born in 1850, and he had a distinguished career. He joined the 92nd Highlanders in 1869, and as adjutant served during the Afghan war, 1879-80. He wa; present at the actions of Charasiab and Shcrpur, and took part in tho histori ■ march from Cabul to Kandahar. He w;>s also present at the action of Kandahar. where his horse was shot under him, and was mentioned in despatches, and later served in the Gordon Highlanders in tin Boor war of 1880 81. being present at th> battle of Majuba. He was again mentioned in despatches during the Suakim Exptdition. and. as chief staff officer «f the First Division of tho South Africnn Field Force, in 1899. took part in tl>"i battle of Magersfontein. Subsequently ho commanded the 9th Brigade and a coiurm of all amis in the late Boer war, bens: twice mentioned in despatches. For his se: - vicos he was promoted to the rank <. : Major-Genera!, and received the Queen'; medal with four • clasps. From 1904 1> 1909 ho filled the position of Second Miliary Member of the Army Council and

Adjutant-General to the Forces, and from 1909-12 was General Officer Commanding in the chief Southern command. General Sir lan Standish Monteith Hamilton. General Officer Commanding-in-Ohief of the Mediterranean, and Inspector-Gen-eral of Oversea Forces, is at present in Australia inspecting the Commonwealth Forces. He is to visit Now Zealand shortly to inspect the Dominion Forces. GeneruJ Hamilton entered the Army in 1873. saw service in the Afghan war, 1878-80, and was twice mentioned in despatches. He also served in the Boer war of I*3Bl. the Nile Expedition of 1884, the Burmese Expedition of 1886. was a member of the (foitral Relief Force of 1895, Commander of the Third Brigade at Tirah Campaign, 1897, and served in the late South African war. seeing service at Elandslaagte. defence of Ladysmith. Diamond Hill, and in other engagements. In all these campaigns General Hamilton was mentioned in despatches. Ho possesses man my distinguished orders.