To Carry Arms.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 61, 3 July 1914, Page 5

To Carry Arms.

HOME RULE FOR. IRELAND.

THE LATEST ORDER. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright! [United Prbsb Association 1 London, July 2. Colonel Richardson has issued an order allowing volunteers to carry arms at the discretion of their commanding officers. The order adds that any attempt to seize the arms by an individual is to be resisted. NO DRASTIC AMENDMENTS. Loudon, July 2. Lord Lansdowne, speaking in the House of Lords, described the amending Bill as a freak worthy of a place in a museum of constitutional curiosities. The exclusion was only tolerable as a cure for worse evils, but the Opposition'did not intend to brush aside the Government’s overtures. He was not ashamed to he terrified by the spectre of civil war. His aim and object was simply to produce a scheme which would prevent the stain and disgrace of bloodshed. Lord Bryce said ho did not like exclusion, but some form of it was necessary to allay the aprehensions of the Protestants. Personally, he would have preferred some form of local anatonomy for the north-eastern counties. The Conciliatory nature of Lord Moray’s and 'Lord Lansdowne’s speeches created a hopeful feeling of settlement.

Government supporters note Lord Lansdowne’s disclaimer of any intention to propose through the amending Bill any drastic changes in the Home Ride Bill, apart from Ulster. Lord Lansdowno also gave the impression that the Unionists would confine their amendments to broad principles, leaving the Government to work hut details- This will necessitate conferences between the parties after the House of Lords has passed he amend, ing Bill.

PRESS COMMENT. London, July *2. The Daily Mail says that Mr Asquith favors excluding Antrim, Down, Armagh and Londonderry without a ballot, although a minority of the Cabinet oppose the concession, lx, is possible that the Protestant . parts of Tyrone and Fermanagh will also be included. The Ulster standing committee favor the total exclusion of the six counties as a basis of peace, also the withdrawal of the time limit. It is probable that the Nationalists will accept this if money is given to compensate for the loss of Ulster.

ARMED WOMEN’S CORPS. QUESTION IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT. (Received 10.40 a.m.) London, July 2. To protect homes, Canon Scott has organised a corps of armed women at Brookfield, near Omagh. The London papers picture them armed with rifles. In the House of Commons, Mr Birrell’s attention was called to the fact that Ulster volunteers were carrying arms in the streets. Ho replied that at the present time Government action would be unwise. Mr Neil Primrose asked: “Does the Government give any signs of its existence in Ireland?” A conference of the Unionist Council will lie held at Belfast on the 10th. to discuss the establishment of a provisional Government in the event of Home Rule becoming law. .