Ulster's Guns.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8, 30 April 1914, Page 5

Ulster's Guns.

D£BATE IN THE COMMONS. DEMAND FOR CLEAN HANDS. [By Eleotbio Telegbaph—Copyeight J {United Press Association.) London, April 29. Mi- deolared that the first axiom of British justice demanded that complainants should come to Court with clean hands. Sir Edward Carson and Captain Craig come fresh from their gun-running exploits. (Cheers). Sir Edward Carson shouted: "We didn't fell lies about them!" A Ministerialist rejoined: "Oh, Carson, behave like a king." Sir Edward Carson retorted: "You behave like cads." Mr Churchill continued: "Fresh from their gun-running exploits, they demanded an enquiry into the action of those responsible for the preservation of law and order." Mr Chamberlain complained 'mat Mr Asqnith had stated that general orders were given as far back as December that officers domiciled in Ulster might disappear. Mr Asquith interjected: "It was told me. 1 made the statement in good faith."

"Dark and Tortuous Proceedings." Mr Chamberlain accepted Mr Asquith's statement. Summing up the charges against the Government, he said it appeared the Government had assumed that conciliation was hopeless unless they showed an overwhelming display of force. It was difficult to know which of the statements now supplied to Mr Asquith were true. He concluded by suggesting that the Premier ought not to accept a whitewashing by the vote of a party majority, but insist on a judicial enquiry into the dark and tortuous preceed"Audacious and Impudent Demand. Mr Churchill said the motion was the most audacious and most impudent demand for an enquiry in their records. The object of the Ulster Army showed that even if the veto of the House of' Lords had gone, there still remained the veto of force after the rejection of Mr Asquith's offer to Ulster. It was clear that those who were preparing for civil war had other purposes outside i Ulster. They were preparing to veto the general policy of Home Rule. Nothing was more disastrous than for the Opposition to suppose that, they and their Ulster friends were the oniy persons in the country prepared to risk thenlives. Could anyone say, after what had occurred in Ulster, that themeasures the Government had taken were premature or unnecessary? He proclaimed his right to put British troops in Ulster, and the right to arrest the leaders. But unless Ulstermen took life first, their own lives were not endangered. Carson's 'Responsibility.' Mr Churchill, continuing, said he did not believe that; civil wariwould ever come, but "if as rebellion occurs we will put down the key to a peaceful settlement into Sir Edward Carson's hands. Sir Edward Carson ran great risks for war. Would he not run some risks for peace " Ho thought peace with honor was possible. Tf Sir Edward Carson would say boldly, "Give me the amendments I ask for to safeguard Protestant Ulster," everyone would be found ready to commend his decision and save them from the evils for which their children would hold them accountable. Seely and Paget's Answers. Colonel Seely stated that he had told General Paget to carry out the movement of troops. General Paget replied: "I will do so, but it will result in grave commotion in Ireland." The Government took another view. General Paget replied: "Suppose I am right; suppose we meet armed resistance, will I be supported?" The answer was: "All the forces of the Crown are available for the support of law and order." Not a man disobeyed any order. He admitted that the document in the hands of General Gough contained s definite declaration of policy. It was wrong, doubtless, to hand it to any particular officer. The debate was adjourned.

Odd Shots. Mr Redmond stated in the lobby that he would not support anything involving the exclusion of Ulster. Unionist papers emphasise the significance of the change in Mr Churchill's tone. The postponement of the Budget is confirmed. The House of Lords passed the Army Annual Bill. In spite of police viligance, six motor cars distributed over three hundred rifles in County Monaghan yesterday. A detachment of Inniskillings, with two Maxims, will leave Omagh to-day for the Magillican camp at Londonderry. The Nationalist volunteer movement at Dublin is growing. It is receiving financial support from America. The Young Nationalists urge the immediate extension of the movement in order to meet force with force. "A Rude Awauening." Times and Sydney Sun Services. Lord Lansdowne said that Ulster for the last two years had been a most peaceable province, because the volunteers were disciplined and had resisted the most violent provocation. The Government had now suffered a rude awakening. He dreaded a collision between the Ulster volunteers and the Army. It would be difficult to

say which were the more loyal subjects. "TOO LENIENT." MR CHURCHILL'S REPLY. [By Eleotbio Telegbaph—Copyright} Times and Sydney Sun Services. (Received S a.m.) London, April 29. Mr Churchill declared that the censure motion was uncommonly like the censure of criminal classes on the police. A member: "You have not arrested Lhem." Mr Churchill: "The complaint that ive have been too lenient is the only accusation I am not prepared to answer." REDMOND AND CARSON. "AN ADVANCE TOWARDS PEACE." (Received 9 a.m.) London, April 29. The non-adoption of retaliatory measures by the Government against :he gun-runners is attributed to persuasion of the Nationalists. Mr Redmond, interviewed, said: "If Sir Edward Carson does what Mr Churchill suggests, I will endeavor to effect an honorable settlement. Captain Craig, interviewed, said Mr Ohurchill's offer is the most important advance towards peace yet made." WARSHIPS IN BELFAST LOUGH. (Received 9.25 a.m.) London, April 29. There are now eleven warships in Belfast Lough.

SPEECHES BY THE LEADERS. THE FEDERAL SYSTEM. (Received II a.in.) London, April 29. Many Liberals are indignant at Mr Churchill's offer, which is interpreted to mean the exclusion of Ulster until die United Kingdom is federalised. The Chronicle says: "The offer has cqused dismay and has more an air of weakness than magnanimity." The Westminster Gazette welcomes the offer. The Manchester Guardian is unfavorable. The Liverpool Post says that Liberal Commoners are bewildered, as they expected an announcement of drastic measures instead of the Government offer of fresh suggestions for peace. The House was crowded to hear Mr Asquith's attitude. He said Mr Chur•liill had made his offer »n his own account and not on behalf of tho Government. So far as he invited Sir Edward Carson to make an offer in the spirit indicated he heartily sympathised. Ulster volunteers at a signalling station saluted a cruiser and ten desjroyers entering Belfast Lough. The iotilla replied: "Thank you." Sir Edward Carson, in the House >f Commons, said the violence of Mr Jhurchill's speech gave a gleam of lope, as he always played the role >f demagogue when making an offer owards settlement. He (Sir Edward) ,ook the full responsibility of gun.•unning. It was nothing new. He lad said 2$ years ago that Ulster

could resist force. He had already ;one far towards meeting Mr Chur•hill when ho said Ulster would not ■omplain if a federal system was adoptsd, with Ireland as part of the Federal system of the United Kingdom. n that case Ulster would get equal reatment and there would he no aoral justification for resistance. He vould also say that much as he devested and feared Home Rule, if set lp it would he his earnest prayer that t might have such success that Vltter itself would seek to come in; mt Ulster would never he hrought in brcibly.