IRELAND'S ARMIES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9811, 12 June 1914, Page 5

IRELAND'S ARMIES.

BOTH ENGAGING GOVERNMENTS ATTENTION, VARIOUS ESTIMATES OF NATIONALISTS' STRENGTH THE COMMANDERS. (Bi Elictbic Tilkobaph-Coptbiqht.) (PlB Pb«8B ASSOCIATION.) Received June 12, 9.20 am Th t• u o LONDON, June 11. Ihe Irish Secretary, Hon. Augustine Birrell in reply to Lord Robert Cecil in tite Commons, said the latest estimate of ie .Nationalist volunteer force was eight thousand Its existence was sufficiently explained by Ulster's army. Both were engaging the Government's attention. The validity of the entry of rifles and ammunition into Ireland was still sub judice As long as it remained the Proclamation against importation of arms would be enforced against all parties. The provisional committee of the ISahonal Volunteers, in a manifesto, welcomes Mr Redmond's co-operation and demands the immediate repeal, of the arms proclamations. It announces its intention to place the movement on a more representative basis. The Daily Mail says the present strength of the volunteers, is estimated at 130,000. ('•>!onel Maurice Moore is Commander-in-Chief and Captain White, son of the "Hero of Ladysmith," is Chief Lieutenant.

MILITARY AUTHORITY'S OPINION. SERIOUS DANGER OF CIVIL WAR. (Times and Sydney Sttn Bebvicis.) LONDON, June 11. The military correspondent of the London Times states that the Home Rule Bill had been described as a measure for the better government of Ireland. It would be bettor described as a Bill rendering all good Government impossible. It had lyid the effect of creating in Ireland contrary to statute two great military forces which had entirely escaped the control of the King's Ministers and had refused to obey the orders of the Government. The Nationalists' volunteers, added the correspondent, were probably 100,000 strong. The movement lacked money, arms, organisation, discipline, equipment and efficiency, but did not lack men. The exi. ; ter.w of the Nationalists and Ulster volunteers reprpsmt-s a serious danger, and would probablv load to civil war, unless the Government showed a better capacity for governing than it had recently shown.

THE AMENDING BILL. MR ASQUITH'S OFFER. NATIONALISTS AGAINST THE EXCLUSION OF ULSTER. Received June 12 9.20 a.m. LONDON. June 11. The Prime Minister. Mr Asquith, announced that if the Opposition desired it. the Home Rule Amending Rill would be introduced into tho Lords before the Home Rule Bill is further considered. The date is not fixed. The Times states that Mr Lloyd-George has assured one of the Nationalist leaders that tho Amending Bill will not contain more than the offer of temporary exclusion, and he hinted that the Bill would be withdrawn if it did not represent an agreed settlement. Then the parties would bo left to work out their destinies free from Parliamentary influence in the recess. The Nationalists have informed the Government that they will vote against an extension of the present offer to Ulster.