An Ulster “ Decoy."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 6, 28 April 1914, Page 5

An Ulster “ Decoy."

ARMS AND AMMUNITION.

WARLIKE PROCEEDINGS.

THE GUN-RUNNING INCIDENT.

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [D.axEu Puna* association.] Loudon, April '27-

The principal highway* were held up by armed and unarmed men, who stopped the traffic and refused to allow anyone to pass except those furnishing the countersign. A thousand of the volunteers commandeered the Midland railway station, and remained till four o clock on Saturday morning in order to intercept soldiers and police.

The Mount Joy’s consignment comprised 35,000 Mausers and 3] million rounds of ammunition; The vessel was not the Fanny, but one which transhipped the Fanny’s cargo at sea. The gun-runner bore the temporary name of Mount Joy, recalling the vessel which broke the Foyle boom and raised the siege of Derry. The transhipment was dangerous work, being done in the dark in a choppy

Six hundred motor cars wore employed in conveying the smuggled arms. • r *

A collier’s suspicious movements in approaching Belfast had the effect of concentrating the Customs officers’ attention, who learned too late that the vessel was merely a decoy. It transpires that the Fanny, while awaiting her opportunity, lay in a sheltered cove at Lundy Island, where the appearance of the vessel was transformed. She afterwards sailed westward, and met the Mount Joy near Tuskar.

A consignment of rifles and ammunition frtfnl Germany, intended for Ulster, was landed at Hull on Wednesday, and placed in a warehouse. The police are watching the warehouse, but no attempt has yet been made to remove the stuff. Possible Military Law. v i 5 It is rumored that the Government will proclaim military law immediately at Belfast, and ppssibly in other parts. Hon. A. Birrell lias arrived at Dublin, and attends ‘the Irish Privy Council session. !>■ 1 ■> *

Mr Amery, M.P., in a letter to ? the Press, states that the Master-nt-Arms on the Hibernia, ;fof. the Lamlash squadron, questioned the seamen individually whether they wore for or against Home Rule.

Colonel Seely, speaking at Newcastle, said ho supposed that before lohg there, would be an .appeal to the country. He could not support the cry of “the people against the Army,” for the latter knew nothing about politics, and it woghj bo a false cry. ■urr- * ■ ■ NEWSPAPER COMMENTi ' London, April 27. Tho Morning Post says the siting tion is extremely grave. It is obvious that the Government cannot ignore the gun-running incident, but rtfi the other hand it is likely that the volunteers will submit unresistingly to the arrest of their leaders and the seizure of the arms. , The Daily Mail says the Government’s lawless attempts to use force are a justification of the gun-run-ning. Tho Chronicle remarks that the gunrunning exploit justifies the Government’s precautions to guard the depots, and they ought to despatch a larger force now that the Ulster Council has ordered the volunteers to commit a serious crime which shows Carsonism in its full criminal colours. The Times says the Government first jeered at Ulster about “wooden guns,” and then planned a secret coup, which failed, and furnished a fresh incentive to Ulster to arm herself, whereof the gun-running was the outcome.

The Daily News says the plea of tolerance to Ulster now falls to the ground, and the paper demands the punishment of everyone participating in gun-running. f ACTIVITY AT THE CUARRACH. (Received 9.0 a.m.) London, April 27. It is denied that troops were ordered to Ulster, hut there is much activity at The Curragh.

THE ULSTER OUTRAGE. GOVERNMENT VINDICATION. . (Received 9.0 a.m.) London, April 27. Mr Asquith, in the House of Commons, said in view of the grave and unprecedented outrage in Ulster, the Government would take without delay appropriate steps to vindicate the outhority of law, and protect the King’s officers, servants, and subjects in the exercise of their duties and in the enjoyment of their legal rights—(Ministerial cheers). Answering Colonel Chaloner (Unionist), Mr Asquith said the instructions to the Howitzer battery to prepare guns foi; active service on the 20th March were issued under a misapprehension. The* Westminster Gazette says: “The Government must ignore the suspicions of loyalty in the Army and Navy, and proceed on the assumption that it has power and can use it. If there is any disaffection or disobedience such as would cause serious embarrassment, lot the Goverumeat

dissolve and appeal to the electors against anarchy..” f DISTRIBUTING THE ARMS. (Received 9.15 a.m.) London, April 27. Renewed activity was shown on Sunday night between Bangor and Newfcownards, fifty motors transporting the rifles and the ammunition. It is now stated that there are no more than a dozen rifles in a single place, making police raids impossible. Ninety-six questions have been asked of Mr Asquith, which is a record. Ho stated that the police informed the Government in December that the depots in Ulster were in danger of attack. <

Mr Bonar Law: “Why* didn’t the Government act until March?” Mr Asquith : “The Government exercised discretion.” The House of Commons is debating the second reading of the Plural Voting Bill. The Cabinet met to decide what steps should be taken to vindicate the law. The Army Annual Bill has been read a second time. Inj the House of Lords, Lord Crewe, answering Lord Lansdowne, said it was not the Government’s intention to move troops to Ireland, but that would depend on circumstances. A STEAMER DETAINED. (Received 9.50 a.m.) London, April 27. A small steamer detained at Ayr is alleged to hara assisted in gun-run-ning.