ULSTER'S SINCERITY.

Northern Advocate, 1 May 1914, Page 7

ULSTER'S SINCERITY.

Sir Edward Carson begged Ministerialists to believe that Ulstermen were not masquerading, but were ready to die for their principles. The Government could put Ulster down, but if they conquered her they would conquer her for something they themselves would not give up. The lesson Ministerialists ought to lqarnis the desperate reality of the question they, are dealing with. He saw a gleam of hope in Mr Churchill's; violence.

Sir Edward Carson deplored the conditiohs.so much that he did not believe that any taunts to himself, would prevent him from seeking any reasonable solution to prevent bloodshed. He would be £lad to see a state of affairs arising in Ireland as the result of mutual confidence and goodwill between ail parts and all classes, leading to a stronger Ireland as a unit in the Federal scheme. .;'■'_ ■'■':.'./•

Mr As gui th scornfully alluded to the flimsy, contemptible character of the case against the Government. It had been summoned .o answer allegations of almost fiendish conduct. ' What was there to be a judicial "inquiry into? h". asked. It was nothing but a mare's nest.. He had answered five hundred questions on the subject, and had been cross-examined in a manner reminiscent of the worst Old Bailey traditions. He derided the charge being made by the Opposition, which complacently tolerated piratical adventurers. Mr Balfour's and Sir Edward Carson's speeches might prove to be landmarks in the" history of the controversy. It was impossible to listen to Mr Balfour 'without emotion. He had never heard in the House so remarkable or" touching an appeal from one who for a lifetime had been a strenuous and formidable antagonist of Home Rule. Mr Balfour recognised that Home Rule of some kind was inevitable, but he (Mr Asquith) did not think a settlement could be effected by bargaining on the floor of the House. A settlement must bring "everybody in. It was no good settling things behind the backs of Ulstermen or the rest of Ireland. It must be accepted by all concerned. He welcomed Sir Edward Carson's hopes that Home Rule might possess ultimate attraction for Ulster.

Mr Asquith concluded by stating that he bad never closed, and would never close the door to a settlement until compelled by absolute force of circumstances.