PLACATING ULSTER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 39, 10 February 1912, Page 5

PLACATING ULSTER.

MR CHURCHILL’S HOME RULE SPEECH AT BELFAST.

,V VERY MIXED RECEPTION IN THE STREETS.

HOSTILITY TAKEN CALMLY

<!By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) L United Press Association. j

London, February 9

When Mr Winston Churchill left ‘his hotel, ten thousand gathered in the vicinity, and the constabulary had great difficulty in clearing a passage. The car was almost overturned, and the crowd uttered fearful menaces and imprecations, the whole being a grim demonstration of passion. Mr Churchill showed no sign of flinching, and took the 'hostility very calmly. As ho entered the Nationalist quarter the scene changed, and His reception was most remarkable.

Benedictions wore showered on him from the windows, and not a groan was hoard anywhere.

Effigies of Lord Londonderry and Sir Edward Carson, labelled “Turncoats!” and “Traitors!” were hanging at various points. The meeting proved peaceful and tame, and rain fell throughout.

At tlio conclusion of the meeting an enormous crowd of Ulstermen awaited Mr Churchill's return, but by making a detour, Mr Churchill went to the railway station and departed for England.

The only interruptions at the meeting came from the suffragettes.

Mr Churchill said that on the eve of the Home Rule Bill the leaders of Irish pubic opinion had been consulted, but it was the British Government’s Bill. The settlement of the longstanding quarrel between England and Ireland would, he said, be a victory worthy to stand with the victories of Trafalgar and Waterloo. Every part of the Empire and the United States would applaud its efficiency. The Imperial Parliament demanded a division of local and Imperial affairs. The Government recognised that Ireland stood in a different position to other parts of the kingdom. A measure applicable to Scotland and Wales would not be applicable to the needs of Ireland, but the Irish Home Rule plan would consistently fit the general scheme of Parliamentary devolution and harmonise with' the designs for

.ho ultimate federation of the Empire. The Irish Parliament would be so constituted that both! the House of Commons and the Senate would be as fairly representative of the Protestants and Catholics, and of minorities even more than majorities. The religious oppression which the Ulstermen feared would not occur. The Crown had power to refuse its assent to an'unjust Bill. The Imperial Parliament could repeal or enact another law, if a law made by the Irish Parliament transgressed the Home Rule Bill, and the Privy Council would declare it void. • • All the military Forces would remain under ‘ Imperial control. v • f

Mr Churchill, during his' tspeech, mid the Government'Vjvas undeterred by financial difficultieslixit would give the Irish Parliament a. real responsibility in' regard to finaiice, yrith reasonably wide powers for new taxation. Ulster was in no danger of invidious taxation, and Home Rule would not interrupt the beneficial process of land purchase or old age pensions.

The Irish financial system must he consistent with the United finances. Ireland’s economic dependence upon England was absolute. The talk of separation was vain and idle chatter. Ho appealed to the Unionists, to overseas Imperialists, and to Ulster itself to win the prize of Irish peace. Let Ulster fight for reconciliation and forgiveness of ancient wrongs. “Then, indeed” (quoting Lord Randolph Churchill), “Ulster will fight and Ulster will be right.”

Mr Redmond, in moving a vote of thanks to Mr Churchill, said the moment the Irish Parliament attempted to abuse its powers by inflicting injustice on men because of' their creed, it would be the bqunden duty of the. Imperial Parliament to assert its authority. He believed anti-Homenilsrs wore in a minority in Ulster, in Britain and in the Empire. Homerulers desired a settlement with their Protestant countrymen, and to take their rightful place in the Empire. Ireland had been the one weakness, and would remain the weakness of the Empire until her rights were conceded.

Belfast was quiet last night, but elaborate police and military precautions were taken to prevent, rowdyism. Sir E. C; arson, in a letter to the Unionist Council, congratulated l the Ulstermen on the peaceful termination of a provocative situation. The Times declares there is general relief at a rash experiment carried out without any serious result, and adds that Mr Churchill’s outline of Homo Rule was faint and “sketchy,” It was apparent the Government had not made up their minds on the financial aspect, and the omission of mention of Customs and excise duties was interpreted to mean that the question has not been settleu. The Tinu-u thinks it is unlikely the’ Bill will ho introduced before the end of the financial year. The Daily Mail says Mr Churchill’s was a brilliant rhetorical performance. He proposed to make Ireland prosperous, happy and loyal at the English taxpayers’ expense.

The Daily News says the scheme affords the amplest security to Ulster. The Morning Loader says the scheme is safe, simple, and severely businesslike.

The Chronicle characterises Home Rule as a scandalous extravagance, and an example of over-oflicialism.

AUSTRALIAN AND CANADIAN ORANGEMEN.

(Received 10, 8 a.m.)

London, February 9

West Australian Orangemen cabled to Sir Edward Carson endorsing the “no-surrender” attitude.

Canadian Orange and Protestant Societies cabled to Lord Londonderry urging him to stand fast against Home Rule.