HOME RULE CRISIS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1926, 8 December 1913, Page 7

HOME RULE CRISIS.

.MR. ASQUITH HOPEFUL. SPEECH AT MANCHESTER. PROCLAMATIONS. GUN-RUNNING FORBIDDEN. By Mszratili— Vrojo A6SfldatJon— Copyright (Rcc. December 7, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 0. Tho Prime Minister (Mr. Asquith) has delivered, at Manchester, a speech on tlie Ulster .question, ilo said that he took a much more hopeful view of the prospect of arriving at a settlement, which would command tho consent and goodwill of all parties, on the basis indicated in his specciics no Lauybank and Leeds, and in Sir Edward Carson's latest lines, winch suggested that tho humiliation of the minority could bo avoided, a remark which, ho felt sure, Sir Edward Carson would agree, would also apply, to tho major-

ity. Mr. Asquith agreed with Sir Edwaru Carson as to tho necessity of avoiding in tho lull of the recess, and possible separatist or any .Federal tendency. Ho endorsed tlio declaration recorded of Pitt the Younger, that tho quality most needed in a Premier was not eloquence, knowledge, or industry, but patience, and deprecated short—if attractive—cuts, and hurried, precipitate committals. He was not going bo hustled. Ho denied that ho had, in his speech at Leeds, withdrawn anything he had said at Ladybank. 110 had been vainly looking fdr weeks for sonio corresponding, but not irreconcilable statement on tho Opposition side, and had unexpectedly found it in Sir Edward Carson's latest speech at .Manchester, in which 110 had declared that they would -have 110 settlement which would humiliate* or degrade Ulster. Ireland must not bo treated differently from any other part of tho Kingdom ; and must havo tho same protection from tho Imperial Parliament; and 110 Bill would establish tho foundation of ultimate separation.

"1 do not, find anything there as to tho conditions 011 tho principle of which they aro disposed to quarrel with us," said Mr. Asquith. "Ireland's case is urgent, and must come first. The Imperial Parliament's supremo and unquestionable authority must, however, 110 retained. Tho Liberals supported Homo Rule for generations, because they believed that this was not a step-ping-stone to, but a preventive of separation.

Tlio Government was prepared to consider the question with a view to meeting every reasonable objection to any stipulation in tho Bill, such as that relating to the Post Oflice, which Unionists considered had a separatist and anti-Federal tendency. "I regard Sir Edward Carson's declarations as a significant and hopeful feature in tho situation," added tlie speaker, " and I cannot but express my belief, lisy, expectation, that a free and frank discussion on tho lines indicated at Lady* bank and by Sir Edward Carson may lead—as Heaven grant it will —to what wo all desire, far moro than tho prolongation of this embittered controversy, namely a settlement commanding tho consent of all parties. Whether tho minority's apprehensions are well or ill-founded, they exist, and aro genuinely and deeply felt. Tho'one, formidable obstaelo is, self-government." Tlio "Daily Telegraph," commenting 011 Mr. Asquith's speech, remarks that tiio Government waited until the men of Ulster were armed beforo believing that thoy were not bluffing. Other papers consider that the arms proclamation is belated. The Unionists 111 Dublin regard the proclamation as tho Government's recognition of tho seriousness of tho situation in Ulster, and a prelude to all possible 'steps to avoid tho calamity of civil war. ILLICIT CUN-RUNNINC. RUSH FOR REVOLVERS. (Rec. December 7, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 6. Hie Dublin Castle authorities aro inquiring, into the alleged importation of arms. The "Daily Mail" says that the Government contemplates postponing Home Rule until the autumn session, leaving only tho Plural Voting and Disestablishment Bills to be dealt- with.

A "Gazetto" publishes a Royal Proclamation, which was signed at Thursday's meeting of tho Privy Council, prohibiting the importation of arms, ammunition, and gunpowder into Ireland. A second proclamation prohibits coastwise carriage. Neither of these applies to articles intended for sporting or other unwarliko purposes. Tlio lielfast Unionist members of the Honso of Commons havo decided to organise a motor service to bo placed at tho disposal of tho provisional Govern; ment of Ulster for tho transport of troops in the event of hostilities. It is reported that 80,000 arms have already been stored, and a number of revolvers purchased, by Belfast Unionists and Nationalists during the past fifteen months. Tho purchaso of revolvers has become So popular a era?.G that a tradesman of Londonderry booked orders last spring for 3000 revolvers. Tho Unionists in Ulster claim that sufficient rifles and several Maxima havo arrived. T'lio "Daily Chronicle" (Liberal), hopes that tlio a tins proclamation which has just been "Gazetted," will bo promptly followed by action against any army officers who may in future use rebellious language. " A more outrageous spectacle has never before- been presented," says tlio '"Chronicle," "than that of influential Conservatives endeavouring to sap tho loyalty and imdormino tlio discipline of tho army." The "Chronirlo" rejoices that Lord Derby, Lord Selbourne, and Sir Edward Carson havo markedly dissociated themselves iron) such violent and anarchical courses.