Excitement in Ulster.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 224, 21 March 1914, Page 5

Excitement in Ulster.

The Rumored Arrest of Sir Edward Carson FIGHTING SPEECHES IN THE HOUSE -Preparations for Resort to Force

By Cable—Press Association —Copyright

JBEELING RUNS HIGH IN THE HOUSE /* ' : HEATED ALTERCATION IN THE )t LOBBY. Ify Cable—Press Association—Copyright .'i Received 20, 9.50 p.m. "' London, March 20."* There are unconfirmed rumors that Warrants have been issued for the nr--tgst of Sir Edward Carson and others. i TALK OF CIVIL WAR. W '• j ' "A BHAM A FRAUD!" i» _ _ 15: ]: Received 20, 9.50 p.m. ./' i. London, March 20. : Tjhe House of Commons was crowded. Feeling ran high at times and passionate. iWhen Sir Edward Carson cnncludgd his speech, he left the Chamber en finite to Belfast. The Unionists rose ajjd cheered his leaving. I&s Sir Edward Carson disappeared, jlhe Unionists shouted to Mr. Devlin: "Why don't you go to Belfast?" Mr. Devlin retorted that he had just •come from there with a message. There . had never been greater sham or fraud than the talk of civil war. While Mr. Devlin was speaking, Major F. Ar.-hi:r- ---• Shee (Conservative member for Fins,b"ury), sent a note to Mr. M. Flavin member for Cork), which it Was believed announced a challenge to * duel. The couple afterwards had a y heated altercation in the lobby, but friends intervened. Sir Edward Carson is at Londonderry. «nd other leaders have gone to Belfast.

I ment's last word, what more had we to I do here 1" '. Mr. Churchill had accused the Ulstermen of engaging in a critical conspiracy. If so, let the Government try conclusions in Ulster. But the Government was a Government of cowards. He challenged them to go as far as they liked, but they could never carry this country with them in the belief tliat their action would bring peace to Ireland. The Government were going to entrench themselves behind 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 Ulster, there was no peace along the path the Government had taken, and he refused to believe the Government would commit the crime of coercion. CENSURE DEBATE IN BRITISH PARLIAMENT. BONAR LAW ON THE SITUATION. "MORE DANGER THAN EVER." London. March' 10. When' Mr. Bonar Law moved his censure, motion, the House of Commons was crowded. Mr. Balfour, who was hurriedly summoned from Cairns, entered during the debate, and was cheered. Mr. Bonar Law said that in view of Mr. Churchill's speecli and Mr. Asquith's approval, the situation had more danger than ever. It was not true that the Opposition nad demanded details in order to obtain a larger target for fire. If the Premier'chose to introduce into the Bill suggestions in the direction of submitting a referendum to the country, Lord Lansdowne would be willing to use his influence in the Lords to induce them to offer no objection to the carrying out of the people's decision. If it were only a question of disorder the army would and ought to obey, but if it came to civil war soldiers were citizens, like the rest of the people. Mr. .Asquith dissenied from the proposition regarding the duty of the Army, but agreed' that bloodshed was never justifiable if another course were possible. He asked if a referendum favored the Government would it carry authority to the Government to coerea Ulster.

MR, BONAR LAW'S PROPHECY

TRAGEDY CANNOT BE AVERT Ki).

Received 20, 10.-10 p.m. London, March 'Ji>. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr, Bonar .Law said he had aiw*vs toped and believed that there was smiie ■Way of e'scape from tragedy, "but ai'tr-r Mr. Churchill's speech " and* Mr. Mquith's asquiescence, 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 1 for a political consideration. They would absolutely reject the automatic exclusion of Ulster, and if the TJlstermen continued their resistance the Unionists would assist them. The Government proposals showed that they did not feel justified in forcing Ulster " to conic in to-day. If that were true, how could they justify forcing them to-morrow? He offered to accept the decision of a referendum, and if the Premier re-, fused, he would incur a terrible responsibility. * NAVAL CALLED OUT. EXCITEMENT IN ULSTER. " Received 21. 12.10 a.m. London, March 20. Naval reservists in Ulster have ■ been ■summoned for duty next week. The notification caused excitement, in view of the threatened action against tho Tolunteers, 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 that there are 3000 men at Belfast ready to take the field at an hour's notice, and 30,000 ready at gix hours' notice.

Mr. Bonar Law nodded assent amidst* loud Ministerial cheers. Mr. Bonar Law added that he was willing to accept a referendum without plural voting. Mr. Asquith concluded without making a definite promise regarding a referendum.

Sir Edward Carson asked,-if the Govvermnent were in earnest, why not exclude Protestant Ulster until Parliament otherwise ordered. The. Government's proposals in the present form were not worth Ulster's consideration. If the Premier gave a firm offer of a referendum he was prepared to accept its decision.

Mr. Devlin followed and accused Sir Edward Carson of commencing life as a Nationalist and deserting to the enemy.

Sir Edward Carson interjected that it was an infamous lie. The Speaker intervened, and Sir E. Carson substituted "wilful falsehood."

Mr. Devlin continued that the proceedings in Ulster were ii masquerade and sham.

THE VOTE DEFEATED. • London, March 1!). The vote of censure was defeated by 345 votes to 252. THE KING'S INTEREST. London. March 19. Mr. Asquith bad a prolonged Interwiew with the King prior to the debate, and also with Lord Stamfordham, private secretary to the King, who has been present throughout recent debates. POLICE SUPERVISION. London, March ID. The increased police surveillance is causing exasperation in Ulster.

• "A GOVERNMENT OF COWARDS."

"TRY CONCLUSIONS IN ULSTER." j Beceived 20, 11.50 p.m. | London, March 20. | Mr. Asquith said he subscribed to Mr. Bonar Law's desire to take the risks of one solution, however unpalatable 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 tin: army. Judgment as to its intervention could not be left to individuals, for such an I idea struck at the very root of society. | The Opposition were prepared, if the I referendum favored the Government I proposals, to go the length of coercing j .Ulster. (Ministerial cheers). The Government proposal was really more | favorable to the minority in Ireland than Mr. BonaT Law's. \ ■Mr. Asquith appealed to Sir Edward Carson: 'Would Ulster accept it!' Sir Edward Carson: Xet the Premier make that a firm offer. Mr. Asquith: It it not my oll'er. It is the Opposition's offer. The Premier, continuing, said he could ■ not see any way to. bring the electors to a frame of mind wherein they would Tote on a single issue, without considerin" till the political consequences oi thfs decision. How could the Government pretend to carry on if an adverse decision were given on the principa Bill* The Government had provided on perfectly democratic lines aga.ns the coercion of Ulster. Therefore, the Option's appeal for resistance was J, ustified. "We are. quite^ outent he concluded, ''with the Bill •>» -t Bt S Edward Carson, in consequence of his opinion that Mr. Asquith was triffl- £ with the subject, left I, s place-for •Belfast, saying: "« *\> » ** Go ?"'