Who is Responsible?

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 82, 28 July 1914, Page 6

Who is Responsible?

HOME RULE FOR IRELAND.

MR REDMOND ASKS QUESTIONS. A WORD FOR THE SOLDIERS. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.] (Received 1.25 p.m.) London, July 27. In moving the adjournment of the House of Commons, Mr Redmond said there had been no attempt to disarm the Ulster volunteers. Ho wanted to know who was responsible for the monstrous attempt to discriminate. He understood Sir J. Ross, who is Barrel’s superior and a well-known political partisan, was in Dublin. He. demanded that Ross should be suspended and put on his trial. Ho also asked that the Scottish Borderers bo removed from Ireland, and that the proclamation regarding the importation of arms be revoked. Mr Birrel (Chief Secretary for Ireland) denied that tflie soldiers fired on a defenceless mob. The Government had not taken action against the Ulsterites, consequently they ought not to take proceedings against Nationalists.

Mr Bonar Law (Loader of the Opposition) said the Government were trying to find a scapegoat to save themselves, and had condemned Barrel without a trial. He deplored the incident, which was due to the fact that the Government had abrogated its authority in Ireland. Mr Asquith (Premier) said the soldiers were exposed to great provocation and had not exceeded thenduty, which was to support civil power. He believed the soldiers would emerge with credit from the inquiry. Lord Robert Cecil (Unionist) moved the closure on the debate, which was defeated by 249 to 217. The motion was then talked out. PRECIPITATING THE TROUBLE. THROWING 'THE BLAME ON THE POLICE COMMISSIONER. “1 MEAN TO HAVE THOSE GUNS!” London, Tuly 27. Figgis, the well-known writer, who commanded the Dublin volunteers, states, that lie told Barrel, when the latter demanded every rifle, that it was unlikely 2000 men wquld yield without a struggle. Barrel replied: “I mean to have those guns.” Figgis stated that the men had ammunition and would bo sure to use it. Harrel rejoined that his men also had ammunition and intended to use it.

Figgis: “In that case the bloodshed will he on your head.”

The volunteers then resisted, and the soldiers made a bayonet charge. Figgis declares that the soldiers then fired.

Figgis adds that an officer of the Borderers asked to be allowed to fire, but Harrel refused.

When the news reached Belfast, priests paraded in the Nationalists’ quarter and exhorted the people to remain quiet.