THE HOME RULE CRISIS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1224, 24 March 1914, Page 4

THE HOME RULE CRISIS.

OMINOUS NEWS London, March 21. The Ulster leaders are couferiing. ,Sir Edward Carson, in a manifesto, appeals to his followers to maintain calm and peace. Troops have arrived at Omagh. The Times says many moderate Liberals in the Commons are perfectly ready to agree to some variation of the rigid time limit. Correspondents at Belfast agree as to the splendid self-restraint of the people. Sir E. Carson’s efforts are directed to preventing pos sible outbreaks among ill-dis-ciplined youths. The situation is critical owing to suspense over the next move.

There are 25,000 troops available in Ireland with Sir Arthur Paget in command. The principal regiments involved in the resignations are the the Fifth and the Sixteenth Lancers, and the Fourth Hussars, composing the third Brigade under Col. Kearsley. All the regiments in Ulster are English under Count Gleicheu.

It is officially staled that the Army Council some time ago instructed Sir Arthur Paget to take the necessary steps to safeguard Government property and assist if summoned to keep law and order. It is pointed out that Ireland is a separate command, and the War Office is not directing the movements of the troops, although Sir Arthur Paget is keeping Whitehall acquainted with what is happening. The reinforcement of the Ulster garrisons is occurring pursuant to orders given to him.

MR BIRRKLL’S DLCLARAfe gTION, A.T 'C [/*/.!//1. f’c i — * i[Mr Birrell at London declared that the military will never be used except on behalf of the integrity of the King’s Dominions and assisting the civil power to maintain order, securing to every minority, Catholic or Protestant, the protection whereto it is entitled against the fury of religious bigotry or the savagery of political partisans, Mr Redmond, iu the interest of the Nationalist cause, insists on the abandonment of the Derry parade. Ten rounds of ammunition have been served to every officer on the Curragb, where the Sixteenth Lancers' and the Fourth Hussars ate armed with carbines instead of with the usual lance and sword.

Five officers of the 105th Yorkshire Light Infantry have embarked at Kingstown for the north.

The guards at Londonderry have been trebled and ball cartridges served out.

The movements of the troops are regarded in Horne unionist circles as foreshadowing an attempt to disarm the voluntee s. It is stated that the police have planned a simultaneous raid on arras in the various districts and military have been stationed *■ centres convenient for dealing w-bb any resistance to the raids. On the other hand the denuding of Belfast ot tioops and their cm centraliou with wa. natenal at Holywood is interpreted a.- meaning that it is easier to defend the stores there against possible volunteer raids than in crowded Belfast, where 27,000 volunteers have been enrolled.

Many inhabitants ot Kuniskillen waving Uuiou Jacks, rousingly welcomed 200 Cornwalls. The other draft has reached Newry, where troops have not been stationed for eight years. The sentries at Lbringlon barracks hare been trebled for the first time since the abortive Fenian rising in the sixties. The Times in a leader headed “Gambling iu Human Lives,” states that the debate oa Ulster has brought armed conflict a few steps nearer. Mr Asquith’s reply was inadequate to the point of childishness.

OFFICERS’ RESIGNATIONS. London, March 21. A telegram from the Curragh camp says that the War Office ultimatum intimated that officers not prepared to serve against Ulster must resign or be dismissed. One hundred, chiefly cavalry officers, have resigned. Dublin, March 21. The officers of the sth Lancers have resigned as a protest against their regiment being ordered north, GOVERNMENT DETERMINED TO PASS HOME RULE. London, March 22. Messrs Lloyd George and Burns and Sir J. A. Simon delivered speeches emphasising the Government’s determination to pass Home Rule undeterred by taunts and threats. “WE WILL NOT HAVE HOME RULE!”

The Pall Mall Gazette's Belfast correspondent stales that when two companies of Dorsets paraded on Thursday they were notified that they were being transferred near the Volunteer manoeuvring ground. The men hurried with their rifles to the Barrack Square, saluted, and exclaimed ; “We will not have Home Rule here !”

It is reported that BrigadierGeneral de Apoar Gough, commanding the Third Cavalry Brigade at Curragh and several officers at Aldershot have resigned. Lord Roberts visited Buckingham Palace and later the War Office. The King also gave an audience to General French and Col. Seely. General French and the Army Council met on Saturday. The Premier had frequent consultations with Col. Seely and Mr Churchill. The Dorsetshires are confined to the barracks at Holywood.