A BURNING QUESTION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 47, 1 April 1914, Page 7

A BURNING QUESTION.

ARMY AND PARLIAMENT. LORD MORLEY'S POSITION. MAXIM GUNS FOR ULSTER. CHARGE AGAINST OPPOSITION * LEADERS.

In the House of Lords Lord Morley announced that he had not resigned, but stated that he would have done so had Colonel Seely's resignation been accepted at first. The Right Hon. W. H. Long moved the rejection of the Home ttule Bill, and Sir Edward Grey advocated the federal system as a means of settlement. He said that it would hardly be possible that any Government would coerce Ulster, but that any spasmodic outbursts must be put down by force. Sir John Simon, the Attorney-General, emphasised the Government's desire to do anything to avoid civil war, but declared that force would be used if it were found necessary. There are rumours of some resignations amongst the officers of the Indian Army.

The Right Hon. Winston Churchill, in the, House of Commons, definitely charged the leaders of the Opposition in both Houses with having tried to seduce the Army from the path of duty. A number of maxim guns have been imported into Ulster. By Cable. —Press Association. —Copyright. LONDON, March 31. In a series of replies to questions in the House of Lords, Lord Morley stated that Sir -Arthur Paget had not received instructions to put hypothetical questions to officers. Beyond a general order to grant leave to officers domiciled in Ulster if their units were ordered to support the civil power, no instructions had been given to Sir Arthur Paget. The conduct of the troops generally had been exemplary. Lord Morley said he remained after the Cabinet meeting dispersed on Monday week, and Colonel Seely showed him the proposed paragraphs. He did not perceive then, neither did he perceive now, that' they differed in spirit and substance from the previous paragraphs sanctioned by the Cabinet. Lord Morley confessed that he had joined in an offence against a sound Cabinet rule that no addition should be made in a case without the Cabinet's consent^ Lord Curzon asked why, as Colonel Seely had resigned, Lord Morley was still a Minister. Lord Morley: I shall answer that tomorrow. A STARTLED HOUSE.

PREMIER'S DRAMATIC STATEMENT.

The House of Commons was startled by Mr Asquith's dramatic statement that he.intended to become War Minister. The Prime Minister indicated that he would hold his position temporarily. Mr Bonar Law referred to the impropriety of Mr Asquith's absence from the House during the Home Rule debate. Mr Asquith replied that he would be close at hand and in touch with his colleagues. AT THE WAR OFFICE.

WHAT MR ASQUITH WILL FIND. Lord Selborne said he thought Mr Asquith's explanations were incompatible with established facts. He was glad the Premier was going to the War Office. He would probably get the greatest; surprise of his life' when he found what his colleagues had really been doing. Mr Asquith could not have issued his statement of the 23rd inst. if he had been fully informed. His reference to two small cruisers was incompatible with Mr Churchill's movement of a battle squadron. What had Mr Churchill had in mind when he contemplated the whole paraphernalia of war at a time when Ulster was profoundly tranquil 1 ? It was perfectly clear that active operations had been intended, leading to all the incidents of war. He asked the Government to tell what really had happened on the fateful day. when Sir Arthur Paget met Colonel Seely and some of his colleagues in Loudon. Why Sir Arthur Paget's terrible apprehensions at the mere movement of four companies? Was it intended to instruct the constabulary to search for arms, and to back them up by all the naval and military forces? Mr Churchill now sought to create a diversion by raising the cry of Army v. people. Mr Churchill's statement that Unionists considered it right that soldiers should shoot down Radicals and Labourites was a foul falsehood. «' BASELESS ASSERTIONS.'' LORD ROBERTS INDIGNANT. Lord Roberts said baseless assertions had been made that the Army was implicated in a political conspiracy, and

equally wild and slanderous were the charges of disobedience and disregard of discipline. There wa,s not the smallest justification for any of these incidents. The officers were asked to make a choice between two terrible alternatives. The option was not sought by them; it was deliberately instigated by the Government through Sir Arthur Paget. The Government evidently realised it was making a demand on the Army it had no right to make, and contemplated something not provided for in the Army Act or the King's Regulations. In the manual of military law it was laid down:—" English - law never presupposes the possibility of civil Avar, and makes no express provision for such contingencies."

PRAISE FOR MILITARY. GOVERNMENT'S PATIENCE. Lord Haldane said it was' wrong to bring the Army into politics. No more splendid or loyal body of men existed, but a large number of officers had raised a big issue at the Curragh. They had not disobeyed orders, but raised a question about orders which migHt be given them. A great armed force had been raised in Ulster, yet it was suggested that the Government's duty was to do nothing. The Government had gazed with patienee on utterly illegal drilling in Ulster because it felt it was better not to interfere, but it had become an imperative duty to have instruments to hand to maintain order if a conflict occurred. A battle squadron had been sent to Lamlash as a preventive measure, but it was withdrawn when it was found that troops had been peaceably moved. It was deplorable that a number of unfortunate officers had been misled by the suggestions of the Unionist Press. The sooner the incident ended the better it would be for the Army.

ME CHURCHILL'S CHARGE. OPPOSITION AND THE ARMY. On the motion for the third reading of the Consolidated Bill, the Army crisis was further debated. Mr Churchill, referring to Sir Arthur Paget's anxiety regarding the movement of troops, said Sir Arthur Paget had assured the .Government that lie would not allow .the troops to fire' on Orangemen until the troops had been lired at for some time, and suffered an effective loss. The Government was absolutely bound to be prepared. It seemed to be patriotic and loyal to raise an army in Ulster, but the Government's precautions to support and protect the troops against this army were considered fiendish and a treacherous conspiracy. He definitely charged the leaders of the Opposition in both Houses with the seduction of the Army. Mr Bonar Law denied the charge. If officers had been infiuenced ? it was by Mr Churchill's Bradford speech. Ministers had insinuated that the blame rested on Sir Arthur Paget, but they did not dare say it. Sir Arthur Paget had said nothing, but he might. The Government were concealing something. . v ' ' The motion was carried, the ""voting being:— For .. .. .. .. 329 Against .. .. 251 Government majority .. 78 The Bill passed all its stages in the House of Lords. IN ULSTER. MAXIM GUNS IMPORTED.

The Union Defence Fund totals £IOI,OOO. • A number of Maxim guns, packed in twenty f tea-ehests, were landed at Belfast. The authorities' search was futile. ,

"FORCE IF NECESSARY." GOVERNMENT STILL FIRM. STATEMENT BY ATTORNEYGENERAL. (Received April 1, 8.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 31. Sir J. A. Simon, the Attorney-General, speaking in the House of Commons, declared that there was no length to which the Government would not go to avoid civil war, but they thought it right and necessary to let the Ulster volunteers know the Ministers' fixed intention to use the forces of the Crown, if it were found necessary, in order to prevent the usurpation of law by force. BEFORE THE FORCES MOVED. WAS ASSISTANCE SOUGHT. Mr Augustive Birrell, Chief Secretary for Ireland, replying to a question, stated that prior to the movement of the troops and the orders being despatched to the naval squadron in Ireland, no information had been received regarding the prevalence of disorder in Ulster, necessitating such precautions; nor was there any request from the civil authorities for assistance. 4 ' FORMIDABLE DIFFICULTIES.'' DEMOCRATISE THE ARMY. Lord Haldane emphasised that any attempt to democratise the Army would be attended by formidable difficulties. It would takeprpbably fifteen years and an enormous expenditure, and then it

would not be equal to the present splendid service. MR RONAR LAW'S NOD. "WHAT HE REALLY MEANT. Mr Bonar Law, referring to a question, to which he nodded assent in the House of Commons on March 19, explained that he intended to say if the electorates supported the Government, he and the Unionists would not be justified in encouraging Ulster's re : sistance. He added that whether or not the Government was justified in coercing Ulster, was a matter for their own conscience. [During a debate in the House of Commons on March 19," the Unionists contended that it was not the Army's duty to serve against Ulster, and urged for the submission of the Home Rule Bill to a referendum. Mr Asquith dissented from the proposition regarding the Army 's duty, but agreed'that bloodshed would never be justifiable if another course were possible. He asked ir a referendum favoured the Government, would it carry authority to the Government to coerce Ulster. Mr Bonar Law nodded assent, amidst loud Ministerial cheers.] RUMOURS FROM INDIA. WILL OFFICERS THERE RESIGN? There are rumours in the lobby that Mr Asquith has received a message from Lord Hardinge that many officers in the Indian Army will resign unless the Government makes its peace with the Army, instead of permitting Ministers to drive it to rebellion. 1 "MENACED BY DISASTER." A DEAN'S UTTERANCE.

(Received April 1, 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 31. | The Very Eev. H. H. Hanson, Dean of Durham, speaking at Saint Paul'sJ said the nation is menaced by disintegration. Through the over-eager pur- j suit of partisan and sectional objects it' is threatened by the gravest public disasters conceivable.

PASSIONATE INSISTENCE. SOLDIER DEFENDS THE ARMY. x Lord Roberts, during the debate in the House of Lords, insisted passionately that no man alive could seduce the Army into becoming the tool of any political party. "ONLY A SHAM." REJECTION OF BILL MOVED. THE PREMIER'S PROPOSALS. (Received April 1, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, March 31. The -Right Hon. W. H. Long, in moving the rejection of the Home Rule Bill, said the discussion was really a sham. The Premier's proposals were made for the purpose of securing party advantage and not from a desire for settlement. If the Government was not willing to sacrifice the-fruits of the Parliament Act which the general action would entail, let them introduce an amending Bill. COERCION OP ULSTER. SIR EDWARD GREY'S VIEW. -

Sir Edward Grey said the coercion of Ulster could not arise before a general election. He did not think it possible that. any. Government would coerce Ulster, but if there were spasmodic outbursts, force must be used. If an attempt were made to establish a Provisional Government, the Army must be called upon. The proposed conversations between the Government and the Opposition should be resumed on the basis- of establishing a federal system for the whole country before the end of the six year period.

LORD MORLEY. WHY HE DID NOT RESIGN. Lord Morley, in the House of Lords, announced' that he had not resigned. If Colonel Seely's first resignation had been accepted, his would have followed. THE EAST FIFE SEAT. tARKIN TO STAND. Larkin, the Irish Labour leader, is to contest the East Fife seat against Mr Asquith. The Conservative candidate, Colonel Sprot, is doubtful if he will contest the seat.

CANADIAN ORANGEMEN,

THEIR ATTITUDE. OTTAWA, March 31. Orangemen throughout Canada are adopting resolutions pledging themselves to oppose any grant from the Dominion Government in aid of the British Navy until the Home Rule Bill is submitted to the British electors. AUCKLAND HIBERNIANS. MESSAGE TO MR REDMOND. Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 1. The New Zealand .district of the Hibernian Society has cabled to Mr John Redmond as follows: — ' ''Hibernians with you in the final struggle. Hope you will never allow one foot of Ireland to be a stranger to Irish rule."