PROSPECTS OF PEACE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 73, 2 May 1914, Page 9

PROSPECTS OF PEACE.

THE ULSTER CRISIS.

FEDERAL SOLUTION PROBABLE.

CONFERENCE OF LEADERS.

HOW CIVIL WAR HAS BEEN AVERTED.

By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. LONDON, May 1. Mr Austen Chamberlain, speaking at Wolverhampton, said Mr Churchill's offer was a great.advance, though complicated with infinite difficulties. He hoped it contained the germs of a solution. If so,- the Federal system must be something different .from the present Home Rule Bill. Lord Cathcart, in the House of Lords, has given notice of motion for the immediate appointment of a Royal Commission to consider a settlement of the Irish question.,

BACK TO THE ARMY.

A NEW APPOINTMENT.

LONDON, May 1.

Lieutenant-General Sir John Ewart, who recently resigned the position of Adjutant-General to the Forces in consequence of the Ulster trouble, has been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in Scotland. -

THE GOVERNMENT'S ACTION.

MUCH SPECULATION.

RUMOURS OF A COMMISSION.

(Received May 2, 9 a.m.) LONDON, May 1. There is. much speculation in regard to the Government's probable action.

It is.rumoured that the Government will offer to establish a commission composed of all parties to consider a federal system for the United Kingdom, and which will be empowered to fix a date, by common consent on which federalism should operate. This would be the time limit on which the Nationalists insist, but, in the meantime, the Irish Parliament would have an opportunity to prove its capacity.

THE GUN-BUNNERS.

A RESOLUTION RESCINDED.

The ' * Morning Post'' states, on good authority, that the Cabinet on Monday decided to prosecute Captain Craig, M.P., Major R. C. A. M'Calmont, M.P., and others in connection with the gunrunning, but rescinded the decision on Thursday. The l ' Chronicle' * confirms this statement.

THE liEADEKS TO MEET.

DELICATE SITUATION.

(Eeceiyed May 2, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, May 1. Mr Redmond and his colleagues refuse to be interviewed, owing to the delicacy of the situation. The "Irish Times" states that Mr Asquith, Mr Eedmond, Sir Edward Carson, and Lord Lansdowne are reopening conversations immediately.

TREMBLING ON THE VERGE

IP THE COUNTRY ESCAPES.

(Received May 2, 9.50 a.m.). LONDON, May 1

After a meeting of the Primrose League in the Albert Hall, Lord»Curzon, who presided, said that for weeks tho country had been trembling on the verge of civil war, and, if it escaped, it was owing to the self-restraint and unconquerable resolution of Ulster, and Sir Edward "Carson's splendid leadership.

Lord Lansdowne emphasised that the exclusion of Ulster meant for as long as Ulster desired, and, as regards the proposed federal solution, the country 'might expect to be asked to give its mandate on the subject.