DEMAND FOR THE TRUTH.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2131, 24 April 1914, Page 7

DEMAND FOR THE TRUTH.

ABGtir THE ULSTER Plot

STARTLING REVELATIONS , IN WHITE PAPER-".-'/' 1

GOVERNMENT'S WAR PLANS

By Telcsraph-Pfe.s3 AtTWdatwii-Cojiv-right

■ , , . London, April 22. tn the House of Commons, Sir C. Kinloch.Cooho /Unionist) questioned Air. Churchill (First Lord of the Admiralty) <m a private telegram from Colonel Hogg. Mir, Churchill desired to know tl» souroo of Sir C. Kinloch-Coabc's information, but tho latter said that no informer existed. His interrogation was merely a bow drawn at a venture. After stating that he deprecated inquiries regarding private correspondence. Mr. Churchill read a telegram from Colonel Hogg, of tho 4th Hussars: Colonel Hogg, with Brigadier-General liOUßh's knowledge, stated that the majority of tho officers were prepared for dismissal, but were willing to preserve order provided no offensive* action was taken against Ulster. The- writer a'p. pealed to Mr. Churchill to bo sensible fa handling the situation. Mr. ClutrchiH did not reply. Mr. Asquith, tho Prime Minister, iti reply to Mr. Terrell (Unionist) stated that Sir A. Png«t {Commander-in-Chief in Ireland) had denied informing hi? of» fleers that the police at Belfast had received orders to seize depots containiue arms. "

THE TRUTH AT tAST, WHITE PAPER PUBLISHED. (Rec. April 23, 9.40 p.m.) ~. London, April 23. iho revised "White Paper, referring to tho Ulster incident, tabled in the House of Commons, includes the Admiralty Orders. The Third Battle Squadron, and tho Fourth Bestroycr Motilltt were- to go to Lamlash (Island of Arran), and the Pathfinder, Alton* nvo, Gibraltar, and Royal Arthur were te go to Kingstown, ofi March 21, to embark troops for C&rrieltfcrgus. The Attentive's captain w».s directed to laud in plain clothes, and. go to Carrioltfergus, awl confer with the military commander at Holyrood Barracks regarding the eventual eo-opera-tmli of Army and Navy. Tho orders added that Carr-ickfergu-s must bo < defended, even if naval ?-srns were necessary.

Military Plans. Sir Arthur Paget (Comroawkr-in-Chief in Ireland), m a writ-ton statement dated April 21, details a ewnference which- ha had With seven of his brigadiers and other senior officers. At this meeting, ho, explained .the Government's plaas, and asked whether bo could relv on them in all eventualities. It was not intended that this qftestwn should be passed to tho subordinate officers. Hit Arthur Fagot explained that ho had obtained concessions far officers who might feel deeply on the crisis, aud. with Field-Marsba-I Sir .Tohn French's help,'he arranged that officers who were domiciled in Ulster were per* mitted to "dliappear," but others who warp not prepared to carry out their duties would bo-dismissed. Sir Affclrat Paget added that Cotanol Seely hoped that there would be few eases of officers claiming exemption. Sir Arthur Paget states that he does not kuow how tho misunderstanding arose, but it Was eap,j to see that it was a .natural stop to'infer that something in the nature of an alternative, was to be put to the Officers. At any rate, certain officers left- the conference under a wrong impression. He- concludes by accepting all responsibility for the misatffirahonsion. Tho London '"Times," in its- cotsi* teent, states that the White Paper establishes the fact that serious operations wore in full swing when Mr. McfUith intervened. "Mr. Asqijith w-ns in ignorance of his ccfegue'-s plans until the crisis they had provoked came to a head,

TFJOQPS IN STRIKE TIME. STATEMENT Sy THE PRIME MINISTER, Otec. April 23, 11.JO p.m.) London, April S3. la Committee on the Army Annual Bill, Mr. Keir Htti-dio (Independent. Labour Party) moved a new clause, pinking it unlawful to employ troops in labour disturbances until all tho available police of the district had been requisitioned; m troops should be. employed without the consent of three Magistrates of the district. Tho mover urged that. soldiers - should bp armed with batons. Mr. Ast)uith admitted tho importance of ib* clause, but tho duty of assisting the Civil Power when the pub-lie Beaeo was disturbed, was, ho said, l»j» posed_ upon soldiers as citizens. It was in the highest degreo undesirable to question the sanctity of tiro immemorial use of soldiers whero distiirb-s-neos leadifig to tire destruction of property and menace to human life occurred. It was eseeedirjgly u-iiffise to suggest that soldiers should not- be armed. Several of the Conservative members deprecated the use of the modern rifletor suppressing riots. chairman finally fnled that Mr.Keir Bardie's anw-ttdnwiit was outside the scope of the- Bill.