ULSTER THE CRUX.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16582, 15 November 1921, Page 2

ULSTER THE CRUX.

IRISH SITUATION CRAVE, By Telegraph-Preaa Association-Copyright. Australia a and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, November 14. Thp gravity of the Trish situation remains unaltered. Mr Milne Barbour’s declaration, which Is regarded as official, lin 9 completely upset the calculations of those believing that Ulster would agree at the last moment to accept the British Cabinet’s proposals, at lea&t in principle. The Australian and Now Zealand Press Association learns that the newt few days will he spent in ascertaining definite final terms and whether Sir James Craig and his colleagues have said the last. word. Cabinet will meet to-day to decide the reply to Sir James Craig’s note, in which he demanded that Ulster should be given independent dominion status, which the Sinn Feiners already have refused. Negotiations with the Sinn Feiners have been suspended until Ulster’s position if. clearly established. The annual Unionist Congress will be held on Thursday, when it is expected that Mr Bonar Law will indicate which side he elects to support. It also is expected that the Unionist Partv as a whole will say “ Aye ” or ** Nay ” to Ulster. The Grandmaster of the Orange Order in England has written a letter urging ‘‘every Protestant to he firm and take a stand on the side of righteousness. if Britain is to he saved from the treachery which envelops her-” He indicates the possibility of a great Orange demonstration in London to protest against the alleged treachery of the present Government. The Hon Ronald O’Neill, member for Mid-Antrim, is seceding from the Coalition. The Irish delegates have been in Dublin during the week-end, conferring with Mr do Valera.. They attended a session of Dail Eireann yesterday. Meanwhile Ulstermen are feverishly organising the Ulster Imperial Guards, composed mainly of ex-service men, of whom ten battalions have been recruited. Services were held in all churches throughout the Protestant counties of Ulster yesterday. Anglicans exchanging pulpits with ists. and' all preaching of the peril of Ulster.