The Ulster Question.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 83, 28 March 1914, Page 5

The Ulster Question.

DISSOLUTION RUMORS.

A STATEMENT AWAITED.

BONAR LAW’S OPINION. [By Electric Telegraphy-Copyright] [United Press Association.j (Received 9.10 a.m.) London, March 27. The Cabinet was sitting all day and there are rumors of dissolution. When the House met the Cabinet was sitting, and Mr \Gulland, on behalf of Mr Asquith, promised to make a statement late in the afternoon. Mr Bonar Law said Mr Asquith promised a statement last night, and then deferred it until noon. He (Bonar Law) wished to move,the adjournment to enable the Government to make up their minds. The Speaker ruled that as it was a private members’ 1 day the House was unable to adjourn. Mr Bonar Law said he regretted the rules prevented dealing with what was nothing less than a public scandal. Radical newspapers are still demanding Colonel Seely’s retirement.

"THE TIMES” COMMENT.

(Received 8.0 a.m.) London, March 27

The Times, in a leader on Mr Churchill’s statements that the issue is now the Army versus Parliament; says:—“No more criminal speech has ever been delivered in or out of Parliament by a man holding a responsible executive position.”

ON THE WAR OFFICE STEPS. i

(Received 8.0, a.m.)

London, March 27. When Colonel Seely arrived at the War Office, a gentleman wearing an Ulster badge met him on the steps and exclaimed vehemently: “I should be ashamed,of myself!” Colonel Seely smiled genially, and passed on.

THE GENERAL REVIEW.

London,. March 27,

, -Field-Marshal i Sir J. D. P. French and Lieut.-General Adjutant-General .Ewart resigned, owing to the repudiation of the guarantees they, and Colonel Seely gave to Brigadier-Gen'eral Gough. . ■. -; v t f ■ ■j. After Mr Asquith had informed the King of the resignations, Field-Mar-shal French visited the Palace and later the House of Commons.

The resignations have not been accepted. t.

It is rumored that Mr Harcourt and Colonel Seely are likely to exchange

offices. ' The Daily Chronicle states that there is bound to be a general election shortly, probably in Juno. The issue of popular freedom versus the Ai*my is bound to dominate it. The Government must also democratise the offieex-ing of the Army. The Daily Telegraph’s Dublin correspondent states that the Premier’s repudiatipn of General Gough’s guarantee has excited profound resentment in military , circles.

General Gough, interviewed, said they were not concerned as officers with what was said in Parliament, for they took their orders from their military supex-iors, and not from Cabinet Ministers.

Regarding the officers of the third cavalx-y brigade, the Daily Telegraph states positively that they intend to take no further action at present. ,

Sir Edward Carson; interviewed, attributed the hatching of the plot against Ulster to Mr Churchill and Mr Lloyd George being desirous of regaining the confidence of the coalitions. The plot was far more farreaching than the public yet understood. Ulster, he said, was not going to make overtures 'to the Army and Navy. These will act upon their own traditions and conscience.

Mr Harold Cox, formerly M.P. for Preston, and editor of the Edinburgh Review, recalls that 15,500 people in May, 1832, signed a covenant to pass a Reform Bill. The Duke of Wellington was confident that he could quell the rebellion, but the officers and men refused, stating that they were ready to suppress disorders, but not to destroy the liberties of the people for the benefit of a politician, and the i Duke of Wellington confessed himself beaten.

OPINIONS ON THE CONTINENT.

London, March 26

The Continental Press is eagerly canvassing the situation, and asserts that the absence of attenion of foreign affairs in Britain is tending to weaken the strength of British diplomacy in the councils of Europe.

Field-Marshal French’s resignation astonished the French, who expected him to lead the British expeditionary force in the event of a European war.