Irish War-makers

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 281, 30 April 1914, Page 5

Irish War-makers

MR. CHURCHILL'S CHALLENGE TO THE UNIONISTS. NO WAR UNLESS THE OPPOSITION MAKES IT." ' OPPOSITION LEADERS' ATTACK ON CABINET. A LLECED WANT OF FEANKNESS > AND CANDOUR. DISORDERLY TAUNTS EXCHANGED. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright , London, April 23. In the House of Commons, in a speech on the vote of censure, Mr. Chamberlain reviewedithe situation after Mr. Asquith's appeal for peace on Mar"h 0 to which Sir Edward Carson replied that he would submit a settlement to Ulstermen, if Ulster were excluded. The Government recognised this as an advance, nevertheless Mr. Churchill, ou the 14th, delivered a threatening and provocative speech, concluding, "Let Ui put the grave matters to the proof." Mr. Asquith approved of this, and. The Curragh incident followed. Colonel Seely was the tool of more astute and unscrupulous men. The Government showed lamentable want of candor and frankness, and was guilty of material misstatements in order to conceal their plans. Mr. Asquith, in his letter to the Times of the 23rd, suppressed the more important part of -the movement. The truth had been wrung from him bit by bit. The White Paper professed ro give the full facts, but later 63 letters were published, some of prime importance.

Mr. Churchill described the motion as audacious ami impudent. TWb aroused an uproar. He referred to Sir Edward Carson's share in the gun-running, on which disorderly taunts were exchanged across the House. Sir Edward Carson shouted: "You hehave like cads." The Speaker did not call on him to withdraw, as Sir Edward Carson had been taunted by offensive expressions.

Mr. Churchill, continuing, said it was a cool request oh the part of those organising a force, to make war to ask information as to the movements of tin; British troops. If General Paget asked foi reinforcements he would have them.

If rebels fired 011 the troops he (Mr. Churchill) would 'take all steps in t.is power to secure condign punishment for them, but there would be no civil war

unless the Opposition made it. He appealed to Sir Edward Carson for peace, as any day an evejit might happen

which would condemn all to the continuance of this struggle 011 the present hateful linef. If Sir Edward Carson ac-

ocpted the proposed safeguards and promised tjo use his influence to make Ireland an integral unit of a federal scheme it would transform the political situa-

A number of fishing boats landed on the Donegal const a cargo of American arras from a steamer and distributed them amongst the Nationalis-ts.

"A RUDE AWAKENING." IX PEACEABLE ULSTER. Times and Sydney Sam Services. Received 23, 5.55 p.m. London, April 29. l.ord Lansdowne said that Ulster for the lwsfc two years had been a most peaceable province, because the volunteers were disciplined and had rcsistel 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.

MR. CHURCHILL ON THE DEFENCE. CARRIES WAR INTO THE EXOSMY'S s CAMP. " COME WITH CLEAN HANDS." CARSON'S 01'N-RUXNIXG EXPLOITS. MIL ASQUITII CLEARS HIMSELF. PEACE WITH HONOR POSSUM. NATIONALIST MOVEMENT CROWING IN DUBLIN. Received 20, 11,40 p.m. London, April 2!). Mr. C'hurchili declared that the first axiom of British justice demanded that complainants should .come to court witvi dean hands. Sir Edward Carson and Captain Craig come fresh from their gunrunning exploits. (Cheers). Sir Edward Carson shouted: "We didn't tell lies about them!" A Ministerialist rejoined: "Oh, Carson, behave like a king." Sir Edward Carson retorted: "Yon 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." A Unionist interjected: "Why not arrest the criminals," Mr. Churchill: "There is a complaint that we have been too lenient. That is tiie only accusation tliat I am prepared to answer. Received *!), 11.50 p.m. Lgndon, April 29. Mr. Chamberlain complained that Mr. Asrjuith had stated that general orders were given as far back as December that officers domiciled in Ulster might disappear. Mr. Asquith interjected: "It wac told me. 1 made the statement in good faith."

Mr. Chamberlain accepted Mr. Asquith's statement. 'Summing up the charges against the Government, lie 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, lie concluded by suggesting that the Premier ought not to accept a white-washing by the vote of a party majority, but insist on a judicial enquiry into the dark and tortuous proceedings.

Mr. Churchill,said the motion was the lr.ost 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 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 only, persons in the country prepared to risk their lives. Could anyone say, after what had occurred in Ulster, that the measures 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. Received 30,. 12.5 a.m. London, April 29. Mr. Churchill, continuing, said he did not believe that civil war would ever come, but "if a 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?" He thought peace with honor was possible. If Sir Edward Carson would say boldly, "Give me tin; .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.

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?" . Tile answer was: "All tin forces of the Crown arc 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 a definite declaration of" policy. It was wrong, doubtless, to hand it to any particular officer.

The debate was adjourned. ■Received 30, 12.5 p. 21. London, April 20.

. There was some surprise that Mr. Asquith made no statement of the Government's policy in regard to the recent Ulster development.

A further Ministerial conference has taken place. The Oppositionists *hopc that Mr. Asquith will amplify .Mr, Churchill's feder"! hint.

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 tlie Budget is confirmed.

The House of Lords passed the Army Annual Bill.

In spite of police vigilance, six motorcars distributed over three hundred rifles in County Monaglian yesterday. A detachment of Inniskillings, w'th two Maxims, will leave Omagh to-day for the Magillican camp at Londonderry.

The Nationalist volunteer movement at Dublin is growing l . It is receiving financial support from America. The Young Nationalists urge the immediate extension of the movement in order to meet force with force.