Intense Interest.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 37, 13 February 1914, Page 5

Intense Interest.

HOME RULE FOR IRELAND. CARSON'S SPEECH. | [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press association.] London, February 12. In the House of Commons, Sir Edjward Carson accused the Government ■of manoeuvring the position. They : should have immediately introduced an amending Bill embodying their conj crete proposals. He said the exclusion of Ulster was not opposed to the ifundamental principles of the Bill, and, if offered, would put an end to Ulster’s ■resistance But the Ulster Unionists 'would not take the responsibility of I the Ijtill, which would be hard on the jUaionists of South-west Ireland, which was too tender in her mercies to her enemies.' If exclusion was offered, lie would go to Ulster immediately and take counsel with the people. They didn’t mean that Ulster should he made a pawn in any political game. There were only two ways to deal with Ulster. She could not he bought and I would not be sold. Sir Edward continued: “You must force her on by showing good government under Home Rule ; possibly you may try to win her over.” (Liberal cheers.) Then, facing Air Redmond, Sir Edward Carson said: “You gain nothing by coercion. One false step in relation to Ulster will render a settlement impossible. .1 tell you, the Government tell you that the Ulsterites are your fellow-countrymen. I will tell you that you have never tried to win over Ulster, that you have never tried to understand Ulster’s position. If you want Ulster to go, take her and win her, but yon don’t want her affections; you .want her taxes!” Sir Edward Carson, concluded: “It is not my fault if resistance is necessary, but on my conscience, I shall , not refuse to join it.” (Prolonged j Unionist cheers.) “CROSS IMPUTATION.” Mr Redmond said there were passages in Sir Edward Carson’s speech which deeply moved him, though he protested against the gross imputation that the Nationalists wanted taxes from Ulster. The idea was in conflict with their ideal, and.was hateful. The Nationalists didn’t want the new system to start with the terrible handicap of a 1 conflict. They would accept the new situation arising from the Premier taking the initiative in making suggestions, though personally he thought the responsibility for the initiative might fairly be left to the Opposition. The suggestion that the problem could be solved by excluding Antrim down to Armagh and Derry was utterly ridiculous and impossible.

Mr J. R. Glynes, Labor member for Manchester, said that when every argument had failed the Opposition had fallen hack upon armed resistance to the law. What would ho the position in respect to the industrial inhabitants of great towns if men were drilled to resist the Crown and Government because the Right to Work Bill had been denied to them ! J A TRIBUTE TO ELOQUENCE. Mr A. Birrell, Secretary for Ireland, paid a tribute to the force and eloquence of Sir E. Carson’s speech. It proved that if he hated Home Rule he loved bis country more. He continued : “We are approaching nearer to peace when Sir E. Carson admits that the exclusion of Ulster would get rid of civil war.” THE CHANCELLOR’S REPLY. Mr Lloyd George said Sir E. Carson’s speech had entranced the House when he appealed to the Nationalists to win Ulster. Ho suggested that the prospect of co-operation with the Government of Ireland had created an absolutely new situation and constituted an element which the Government must take into account. The Government believed safeguards had made it impossible for Ulster to suffer, but Ulster did not think so. The Government was prepared to go to any limits consistent with the prinjciples of the Bill to allay legitimate | fears, but could not and would not j betray the majority of Irishmen,'who trusted the Government. If, after everything had been done to allay j Ulster’s legitimate fears, the Govern-' Inient quailed before threats of violence, it would violate its trust. The Government submitted its proposals I upon its own responsibility, but the j responsibility for their acceptance and I rejection would be that of the Opposition. THE OPPOSITION. Mr Bonar Law, in winding up the debate, pressed the Government to make an immediate and specific offer, and urged the exclusion of Ulster or the holding of a general election, hut he was prepared to accept a. referendum should the Government prefer it. It was no good to make an offer of Home Ride within Home Rule. If the Government continued its present policy bloodshed was inevitable.

I in the House of Lords', Lord Loreburn declared that the King’s reference to the gravity of the situation was a courageous and honorable departure. He considered a dissolution did not offer a solution; it merely postponed the question. The Bill was good, hut a, settlement by consent would he better. He believed federalism would prove tho solution of the difficulty. The debate was adjourned.

London, February 11. The Hon. Munro-Ferguson, the new Australian Governor-General, in farewelling his constituents, said ho confidently believed in the peaceful settlement of the Irish question. Ho believed Mr Asquith would find a way, while conserving the principles they had fought for for years. It diould be practicable to devise a form of Home Rule which would satisfy the North of Ireland. PRESS OPINION. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, February 12. The Times, in a leader, says: Mi Asquith failed to assign convincing reasons for incurring the dangers oi delay. (Received 8.45 a.m.) London, February 12. The Daily Chronicle says there is i widespread impression among the Liberal members of the Commons [that there is far too much Ministerial talk about Ulster’s exclusion. There is keen disappointment that no word of protest was made against the Opposition’s incendiary speeches. There can be no question that the exclusion of Ulster (which amounts to withdrawing the Bill), if the Government did so, would betray, not only the Party, but the Sovereignty of Parliament. ; (Received 9.5 a.m.)

The Westminster Gazette states Sir F.dward Carson’s more generous tone is an implication that they are all Irishmen, and Mr Redmond’s response reminds us that final peace is to he made between Irishmen at Westminster.”

The paper suggests that the Government should make special conditions for Ulster a provisional arrangement until Homo Rule all round is completed. This is the logical outcome of the Government’s and the Unionists’ declarations. A DISASTROUS POLICY. (Received 11.55 a.m.) London, February 12. Lord Middleton’s motion that it would be disastrous to proceed with Home Rule was carried by 213 to 55.