PEACE IN ULSTER.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1927, 9 December 1913, Page 7

PEACE IN ULSTER.

MR. ASQUITH'S SPEECH THE TURNING POINT. PRESS INTERPRETATIONS! By Telegraph—Press AESocialion-—Copyright (Rcc. December 9, 1.10 a.m.) London, December 8, Several of the newspapers, reverting to tho speech delivered by the Prime Minister (.Mr. Asquith) at Manchester, consider it to mark the turning point in the direction of pence. They emphasise tho urgent need of a speedy settlement. Tho "Daily slajl" (Unionist), while gladly congratulating tho Premier upon the statesmanlike ton© of the speech, declares it will only be fruitful if ho recognises clearly that the initiative in any negotiations must emanate from him. The "Standard" {Unionist) asks fur a "firm offer." The "Daily Telegraph" (Unionist) says that Ulster must not relax, her preparations for resistance, but go steadily forward despite the Royal Proclamation, until she knows what the Government is prepared to do, and a plan is submitted for her acceptance or refusal.

London, December 7. Mr. F. E. Smith, K.C., M.P., addressed lhe Oxford Union, chiefly on the Homo Ruio question. A resolution of confidence in tho Government was negatived by G54 votes to 686. CASES OF RIFLES DETAINED. London, December 7. Tho Customs authorities at Belfast, detained eighty-nine cases of rifles and bayonets from Liverpool, consigned to local gimmakei'S, but subsequently released them. PROCLAMATIONS RESENTED. (Rcc. December 8, 11.10 p.m.) London, December 8. , Tho Nationalists in Dublin are displeased with the Royal Proclamation prohibiting tho importation of arms, considering that it discloses au admission of tho seriousness of tho position in Ulster. Many at the same time declare that the proclamation was directed against the Nationalist volunteer -movement rather than against Ulster. They claim that many thousand havo been enrolled, and resent anything which may hinder tho arming of tho force. It is even intended to start a small-arms factory. The "Daily Telegraph's" correspondents stato that it is only in Belfast that tho constabulary and secret service men havo been specially detailed to watch for gun-running. liio suggestion that the proclamation has been directed against tho' volunteer movement in Dublin is untenable, as that starving city cannot afford the luxury of rifles. Ireland's contribution to the Parliamentary Fund, including £4000 from flic- Nationalist members of Parliament, total £17,000, or £3000 less than Dromore, in County Down, guaranteed for the Unionist Indemnity Fund.- If tho entire Nationalist Party Fund is applied to tho arming of tho volunteers, the amount- would be of very littlo utility. Several Customs officers in Scotland havo been instructed to tako bicycles to Ireland and keep a sharp lookout along the coasts for rite and aimuuniticn. A fireman has bccn_ injured by an explosion of bullets that took place in a' stockbroker's garage in Belfast. The fusilsdo lasted for twenty ;ni-nutes.

The Royal Proclamation prohibits the importation of firms, ammunition, and Siunpowder into Ireland. A second prociasnntion prohibits eor.stwiso carriage. "Neither. of UiOfc applies to articles intended for sporting or other umrarli&c purposes. PEACE AND CJOODAVtLL. (Rcc. December 8, 10.10 p.m.) UontlOßi December 8. ' Mr. Joseph Devlin (Nationalist SI.P. for Belfast Wost), in, a npccch at Rathdrum, referring to Sir Euward Carson's conditions of settlement, said that the Nationalists were willing to go much beyond half-way to meet the Unionists and sicu a lasting' treaty in peace and goodwill.