THE RED HAND IN ULSTER

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2127, 20 April 1914, Page 5

THE RED HAND IN ULSTER

SENSATIONAL STATEMENT

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT '.. HAD RESOLVED

FLANS FOR MILITARY ; %*■ OPERATIONS ■ ■ -.■

By .Tel#yr»»h—Press Ateocintion- Copyright , '-'". ' (Ike. April 19, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 18. Tim Conimiiiec of the Ulster Unionist Council, with the approval of Lord Londonderry and Sir Edward Carson, has issued a statement declaring that Lieu-ieaant-Goncral Sir Arthur Paget (Com-wajidor-in-Ciiiof in. Irekiid), acting oh Colonel Scely's instructions, informed tlto go.ner.iis in his command that on March 20 tho Govenvincnt had resolved on iy.iniediato notmi optifatians, and detailed the dispositions for a force of 25,000 troops, 'with tho object of seizing tbe Rivor BoyiMi bridges in co»operatio« with the Fleet.

TJio statement also alleges that Sir Arthur Paget explained a proposal to bloetndo Ul&tcr by land and sea, the intonticm being that the Belfast police should seize the depots and arms Belonging to tho volunteers, and also the iiead«[uittters of tho Ufeiei" organisation. Bloodshed would ensue, a»d iho vojttnteers, ho anticipated, would attack the police, whereupon tho trosips and tlio ftaval farces would bo suomoecd to tbe tiring line.

At llj-e first battle, when tiio troops had suffered casualties, ho Would fiend tinder a fkfi of trace it demand for tho ■enemy's surrender. IF this were refused, h§ would order an as&uult. With a view to persuading tlio cavalry officers to participate, ho promised tliat ono roghnejsi would be placed on tk& Jinfilt, and' thus would be neutral. He also promised tlio officers of another regiment that wlien tho enemy was located, a disturbance would bo arfaiignd at Cork, and thftt regiment would be tlet.whed to suppress it. Tho statement ndtls tfeit a naval oiffi■eer was sent to DiibHn to facilitate commmiieutions with tlio naval contin* ger.t.

(See. "April 19, 5.5 p.m.) ironHon, April 18. Tho "Nation" says that tjte trouble over tlio Army officers' resignations is not yet over. "There arc murinurs of an Irish storm at AMetfSliofc which will deepen if active operations against Ulster arc accessary," adds tlio "Nation."

OPEN BETTER TO Mtt. ASQUITH. (Hec. April 20j 0,35 a.m.) Lofitloh, April It. TJie "Spectator" Jwbifehos from .Mr. Alexander Lcep'er (Wardeti of Itipity College, JXcJWufjtßi and $ sdn of tho late &r. Leeper, Canoji of St. Patrick's, Dubiift),-8U open lettor te Mr, Asquith afiainst Homo Biile. The letter was ■promoted by the Victorian. Ulster Association.