DISTRIBUTION OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13455, 29 April 1914, Page 5

DISTRIBUTION OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION.

STATEMENT BY MR. ASQUITH.

GRAVE AND UNPRECEDENTED

OUTRAGE.

IMMEDIATE ACTION PROMISED

FURTHER GUN RUNNING.

London, April 27

Mr. Asquith, in the House of Commons, said that in view of the grave and unprecedented outrage in - Ulster, tho Government would take without delay, appropriate steps to vindicate the authority of the law and protect the King's officers, servants, and subjects in the exercise of their duties and the enjoyment of their legal rights. • The statement was followed by Ministerial cheers.

Answering Colonel Chalonor, Mr. A-s----quith said that the instructions to the howitzer battery to prepare guns for active service on 20th March were issued under a misapprehension. Renewed activity was shown on Sunday night between Bangor and Newtownards. Fifty motors wero transporting rifles and ammunition. It is now stated that no more than a dozen rifles are in a single-place, making police raids impossible.

Ninety-six questions have been asked of Mr. Asquith, which is a record. He stated that the police informed the Government in December that de-

pots in Ulster were-in danger of attack.^ Mr. Bonar Law: Why didn't the Government act until March ?

Mr. Asquith: The Government exercised discretion.

The Cabinet met to decide what steps should be taken to vindicate the law.

It is denied that troops have been ordered to Ulster, but there is much activity at Curragh. /

In the Housei of Lords, Lord Crewe, in answering Lord Lansdowne, said that it was not the Government's intention to move troopa to Ireland, but that would depend on circumstances.

•The Royal Irish Constabulary have been instructed to.stop all motor cars,

and to search for arms, and arrest all occupants if they resist.

The Ulster Unionist Committee voted provision for the family of the coastguardsman who died of heart disease, resulting from excitement on sighting a suspicioiis vessel at Donaghadee,

A small steamer has been detained at Aviv It is alleged that it assisted in the gun running.

The "Westminster Gazette" says the Government must ignore the suspicions of loyalty of the Army and Navy, and proceed on .the. assumption . it has the power and can use it. If there is any disaffection or disobedience such- as would cause serious embarrassment, let the Government dissolve and appeal to the electors against anarchy.