INTERESTING POSITION.
WILL THE ARMY CARD WIN (Received March L’fi, B.LI a m.) LONDON, March The Daily Telegraph, the Times and other newspapers Mato that ainar.mg ntinours arc m cirriiluv.nii to the elurt that the Government, impressed by reports of the increasing efficiency *T l he Ulster volunteers, determined that the volunteers should ho surprised and disarmed. Mr. Churchill suggested that the troops should ho moved secretly ami rapidly and warships stationed in the Liifey. The third battle souaxlron was ordered to Lamla.sh, and the fourth destroyer - division sailed from Southampton for an unknown destination. Lieutenant-General Paget hy his blunt conference with hi.s officers revealed the scheme and wireless messages slopped the movements of battleships. On Saturday the destroyer division returned to Southampton. In the House of Commons on the Army Estimates Mr, Am cry moved a reduction to emphasise tho view that the Government was not entitled to uso the army for party purposes. Ho said officers wore prepared to support the civil [lowers against riots or disorder, hut had tho right to act as their consciences dictated, when tho Government, for party ends, was risking civil war. Mr, .John Ward (Liberal) seconded tho motion front a different stamljxmit. Tho House, ho said, had to decide whether Parliament in future would have to go into committee with miilrary men to ask if they would allow this or that Hill to ho passed into law. Mr. V/nrd read syndicalist leaflets pleading with tho army nor to shoot strikers. Mr. Ward accused tho Unionists of spreading similar sedition in tho army. If wealthy folk wanted to employ such means to decide political problems tlwi Labour Parly was willing. “My class,” lie said, “will fight you to-morrow.” He concluded, “what we demand is tho right to mako tho laws absolutely without interference cither from tho King or tho army.”
The speech was followed by a remarkable demonstration, Ministerialists and Nationalists cheering for two minutes. Mr. Beck said many Liberals would resign to-morrow rather than sit in a House dictated to by army officers. Colonel Sooly had shown deplorable weakness.
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Bibliographic details
Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144360, 26 March 1914, Page 3
Word Count
347INTERESTING POSITION. Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144360, 26 March 1914, Page 3
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