The Ulster Crisis.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 77, 21 March 1914, Page 5

The Ulster Crisis.

HOME RULE FOR IRELAND.

REPORTED ARRESTS.

[By Electric Telkgraph—Copyrightj [Unitki> Press Association.] London, March 20. There are unconfirmed rumors that warrants have heen issued for the arrest of Sir Edgard Carson and others. THE TALK OF CIVIL WAR. The House of Commons was crowded. Feeling ran high at times and passionate. When Sir Edward Carson concluded his speech, he left the Chamber en route to Belfast. Tho Unionists rose and cheered Ills leaving.

As Sir Edward Carson disappeared, the Unionists shouted to Mr Devlin: "Why don't you go to Belfast P"

! Mr Devlin retorted that he had I just come from there with a message. There had never heen greater sham or fraud than the talk of civil war* While Mr Devlin was speaking, Major F. Archer-Shoo (Conservative member for Fiiisbury), sent a note to Mr M. Flavin (Nationalist member, for Cork), which it was believed announced a challenge to a duel. The couple afterwards had a heated altercation in the lobby, hut friends intervened. Sir Edward Carson is at Londonderry, and other leaders have .gone to Belfast.

MR BQNAR "CAWS PROPHECY.

TRAGEDY CANNOT BE AVERTED

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Bonar Law said he had always hoped and believed that there was some way of escape from tragedy, but after Mr Churchill's speech and Mr 'Asquith's acquiescence, the way of escape must come from a source which he was unable to foresee. Unlike Mr Churchill, he could imagine nothing worse than a civil war. Personally, he would never risk brave lives for a poTrueal*-Consideration. They would absolutely reject-the automatic exclusion of Ulster, and if | the Ulstermen continued their-resist-iifhee the Unionists would assist them. ;The Government' 1 ''proposals showed that they did not 'feel ■justified in' forcing Ulster to come in to-day.'lf that were' true, how eoiild they justify forcing them to-morrow? He offered to accept the decision of a referendum, and if the' Premier refused, he would incur a terrible responsibility

EXCITEMENT IN ULSTER. Naval reservists in IJlster have been summoned for duty next week. The notification caused, excitement,- in view of the threatened action against the volunteers, consisting of picked men, who were called up on Thursday night.' The news of Sir!Edward Carson's hastened, departure created a profound sensation at Belfast.

It is estimated thnt there are 3000 men at Belfast ready to take , >the field at an Jiotu-'s notice, a:

ready at six hours' notice

"A GOVERNMENT OF COWARDS."

"TRY CONCLUSIONS !N ULSTER.'

Mr Asquith said he subscribed to Mr Bohar Law's desire to take the risks of one solution, however un-

palatable or unacceptable. Bloodshed

was never justifiable, if there was any other possible-course. He was unable to assent to Mr Bonar Law's proposition with regard to the functions of the" army. Judgment as to its intervention, coidd not be left to individuals, for' such an idea struck at

the very root of society. The Opposition were prepared, if the referendum favored the Government proposals, to go the length of coercing Ulster. (Ministerial cheers.) The Government proposal was really more favorable to the minority in Ireland than .Mr Bonar Law's.

Mr Asquith appealed to Sir Edward Carson : Would Ulster accept it

Sir Edward Carson; Let the Premier make that a firm offer.

Mr Asquith: It is not my offer. It lis the Opposition's offer. The Premier, continuing, said ho could not see any way to bring the electors to a frame of mind wherein they would vote on a single issue, without considering all the political consequences of tin's decision. How .could the Government pretend to carry ion if an adverse decision were given lon the principal Bill? The Government had provided on perfectly democratic lines against the coercion of Ulster Therefore, the. Opposition's appeal for resistance was unjustified. "We are quite content," ho concluded, "with the Bill as it stands."

j Sir Edward Carson, in consequence lof his opinion that Mr Asquith Mas trifling with the subject, loft his place for Belfast, saying: "If this is .the Government's last word, wh'at more had we to do here?" Mr Churchill had accused the Ulstermen of .engaging in a critical conspiracy. If iso, let the Government try conclusions in Ulster. Hut the Government was a Government of cowards. He challenged them to go as far as they lik--0(1, hut they could never carry tin's country with them in the belief that i their action would hring peace to Ireland. The Government were going to entrencli themselves hehind the troops, who would become assassins under the Government's direction. Mr Chamberlain said that although he was to a. certain extent in agreement with the separate treatment of Clster, there was no peace along tht>. path the Government had taken, and

ie refused to believe the Government vould commit the crime of coercion.

ARRESTS DENIED.

THE WARRANTS NOT ISSUED.

(Received 9 a.m.) London, March 20

Mr Asquith personally assured the Unionist leaders that a warrant for the arrest of the Ulster leaders was not issued. •

;The Daily Telegraph's Parliamentary correspondent states: It is certain that lists of subordinate names were prepared, and adds: The military authorities, including General French, liad a long conference with the War Office.

CANADIAN LOYALTY. ; "

(Received 8.30 a.m.) ' Ottawa, March 20

The Senate debated the attendance of Mr Cochrane, Minister of Railways, at a Home Rule meeting in England wlien a presentation was made to Sir Edward Carson.

Senator Chiquette asked if this meant that Canadians were against Home Rule. Canadians were loyal and would be displeased if the Minister went to England and gave his countenance to those who proposed to fight against the King. >

Senator Lougheed replied that Mr •Cochrane's loyalty was above question.

Senator Cloran declared that % Mr Cochrane was guilty of treason. The Government ought to dissociate itself from such an action.

Senator Lougheed retorted that Mr Cochrane was a loyal member of tin Senate.

Speaking of Ireland after his -bur, Dean McKehna, of Wellington, said o a Sydney interviewer: "Everybody is looking forward to the passing >f the Home Rule Bill. As for fighting in Ulster, well, ho was right through Ulster, and he never saw or Heard anything from the people there that would lead to the idea that Ulster intended to fight. If the Bill vas pissed an opportunity would'be 2;iven Ireland to do things for herself, and one of these would be to find employment in some way for her agricultural laborers. Tliose were all leaving the country, though they were badly wanted for the cultivation of the farms. It was worthy of note that the Irish potato crop had ' had the highest yield for years." The Dean, who is accompanied by his brother, the Rev. T. M'Kenna, travelled 'rem New Zealand across Canada, visited England, Scotland, France, and Italy, in addition to Ireland.