The Ulster Appeal.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 56, 7 March 1914, Page 5

The Ulster Appeal.

STS PECULIAR CLAUSE.

A PARTY DODGE. [By Elsctbjo Teleoiiaph —Copyright] [UwiTBD PI!EBS ASSOCIATION. ] (Keceiveci 8.10 a.m.) London, March 6. The public refuses to take seriously the appeal of Lord Roberts and other orominent men on behalf of Ulster, ft. is pointed out that the signatories lave wholly destroyed the force of the leclaration by the insertion of a clause that by the signing of a document no man pledged himself to take any particular action of which his conscience in its judgment would not approve. Referring to the signatories, the Daily Chronicle remarks that most of them are men very eminent in their different non-political spheres, hut they show, not for the first time, that •angular puerility of political vision and intolerant political partisanship to which eminent non-political men are greatly prone. Such men, indeed, 'many of the same men, made precisely similar exhibitions four years ago over Mr Lloyd George’s Budget, which was denounced as the end of all things, yet most of them contrived to live tolerably well over since. THE ULSTER VOLUNTEERS.

London, March 5

An extensive system of espionage is being maintained in connection with the field manoeuvres of the Ulster Volunteer force. A big staff of special men from the Criminal Investigation Department and Irish Constabulary has been spread throughout Ulster, showing that the movement is causing 'oncern to the Viceroy. The eagerness evinced to sign the loelaration against the coercion of UI--ter has overtaken the capacity of the xisting organisation to cope therewith. Lord Southampton has offered o obtain 10,000 signatures.

THE NATIONALISTS’ POSITION

London. March f

Significance is attached to Mr Devon’s hurried visit to the Bishops of Raphoe and Derry. Air Devlin is -! rougly opposed to a modification of the Bill.

Mr T. P. O’Connor, writing in Reynold’s Weekly, states it would not be candid to say that Nationalists have mt found it hard to agree to the com •essions the Government are about to Tier. They are only able to accept them after anxious and prolonged rcilection in the hope that they will bring oeace. The concessions are the last word of the Nationalists.

The Daily Telegraph states that the Governor of the Bank of England lias convoyed the directors’ views to Mr Lloyd. George that any civil turmoil in Ireland will seriously affect British inances. It is unusual for the Bank to take this course unless opinion is sought.

EXCLUSION BY PLEBISCITE.

(Received 9.10 a.m. )

London, March G

The Radical press accepts as authoritative the, statement that Wednesday’;; meeting of the Cabinet decided to make the offer to any Irish county wishing to exclude itself from Homo Rule in three years by a plebiscite.