SANDS RUNNING DOWN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15513, 21 January 1914, Page 9

SANDS RUNNING DOWN.

HOME RULE DANGERS.

"CIVIL WAR VERY NEAR."

SIGNIFICANT STEP TAKEN

HORSES FOR TRANSPORT,

By Telegraph— Association— Copyright.

Received January 20, 10.55 p.m.)

London, January 20. The fact that the War Office has been making inquiries of Belfast carriers as regards the first use of the latter's horses in the event of war led to rumours that the Government aims at hampering Ulster's resistance to Home Rule.

The owners of the horses, however, have stipulated that the animals must not be used against Ulster.

Lord Londonderry, in an address at a demonstration in Belfast yesterday, said there was little hope of the electors being consulted on Home Rule. Ulster had 100,000 drilled men ready. If these were shot down by British soldiers, the whole Empire would thrill with horror. Sir Edward Carson, in an emotional speech, declared that the conversations between the party leaders were useless unless Ulster's rights were preserved under the Imperial Parliament. He prayed God to give them men. If their homes were rendered fatherless, it would be with the old flag flying, and their people cheering the King. They accepted Mr. Joseph Chamberlain's advice to fight it out. The demonstration concluded with the3ooo people present singing: "O, God, Our Help in Ages Past." The Archbishop of York, in a sermon at Edinburgh on Sunday, referred to the Home Rule question. He said the sands were running out, and possibly civil war was drawing near. Only a resolute determination to seek peace could prevent the calamity. No settlement was possible unless it found room for the two great and true principles of nationality on the one hand, and union in the wider nation on the other OPEN TO CONCESSIONS. MR. REDMOND'S PREDICTION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, January 20.

Referring to Mr. Bonar Law's statement that, the Unionists had pledged their support to Ulster in the event of civil war, Mr. W. Redmond, the Nationalist M.P., in a speech at Bathuret last night, predicted that though there might be some turbulence and rioting such as bad been seen in the past, the people of Ulster in the end would settle down to Home Rule. The Liberal Party was willing to make any reasonable concessions, but neither Mr. Asquith nor the leader of the Nationalist Party would allow themselves to be intimidated by threats.