Jasper County Democrat, Volume 16, Number 100, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 March 1914 — ARMED INVASION REPORTS FOLLOW CRISIS IN ULSTER [ARTICLE]

ARMED INVASION REPORTS FOLLOW CRISIS IN ULSTER

Sir Edward Carson Is Rushing to the Scene — BLOODSHED IS PREDICTED Effort of Law to Obtain House Censure of Government Fails —Force of Ulster Volunteers Summoned to Headquarters. Belfast, March 20.—An emergency force of picked men from the Ulster Volunteers has been hastily summoned to headquarters. The motive for the sudden call has been kept secret, but rumors persist of military action on the part of the government and projected arrests. Crisis Believed Reached. London, March .20. —-Grave events are Impending in Ulster, according to unionist newspapers, and a rumor is current that the government is preparing for the military occupation of the province. There are various indications that a crisis has been reached. A vote of censure oh the British government, which was moved In the house of commons by Andrew Bonar Law, leader of the opposition, was rejected, 345 to 252. Arthur J. Balfour, summoned by Bonar Law, made a hurried return from the Riveria and arrived in Ix>ndon in time to participate in the division.

There were reports also of the threatened arrest of Sir Edward Carson and other leaders of the Ulster unionists, but it was officially declared that there was no truth in the statement that warrants had been signed for such arrests. Sir Edward Carson, however, made a hasty exit from the house before the debate was concluded to catch a train for Belfast. Report Grave Developments. Austen Chamberlain declared that Sir Edward had been called away In response to sudden developments in Ireland. Other unionists asserted that the Ulstermen can no longer be restrained from an outbreak and that Sir Edward’s mission is to endeavor to hold them in check.

The Daily Telegraph’s lobbyist says:

“Unless all omens are false, blood will be spilt in Ulster before the house of commons sees Sir Edward Carsan again.” ’

The marquis of Ixmdonderry and other prominent Ulsterites are on their way to Belfast, and their action is regarded as a challenge to the governnunt if, as asserted, any intention exists to issue warrants for their arrest.

The view of boilr liberal and unionist morning papers is that after the debate all chances of settlement by consent are ended and the home rule bill will be passed in its original form.

It is said the government has assured the nationalist leaders that Mr. Bonar Law’s referendum offer will not be accepted. Asquith Refuses Details. Andrew Bonar Law’s effort to obtain a vote of censure on the government was based on Premier Asquith’s refusal Monday to give details of the scheme of local option by which the nine counties of Ulster would be permitted to vote separately on the question of the new Irish government. The leader of the opposition offered to give a guarantee that if the government would take a referendum of the United Kingdom on the home rule bill and local option proposal, the unionists, both in the house of lords and in the house of commons, would place no Impediment in the way of carrying out the will of the people. Sir Edward Carson, Ulster unionist leader, backed up Mr, Law’s offer by saying that if the premier was prepared to give him a definite offer of a referendum he would accept that decision.

Lie Is Passed. Before Sir Edward Carson made his departure for Ulster he engaged in a lively debate, during which the lie was passed with Joseph Devlin, nationalist member for Belfast The Ulster leader called Mr. Devlin a liar when the nationalist member declared Sir Edward at one time had been a home ruler.

"It is an infamous lie,” roared Str Edward Carson, and when the speaker suggested a modification of \his langnage, sir Edward substituted for it. “The statement is a willful hood.” .

Shouts of protest and cheers in support of both members filled the chamber and it was some minutes before the speaker was able to make himself heard in an appeal for the avoidance of personalities.

Mr. Law’s preposition that a referendum of the country-should be taken on the home rule bill and the local option proposal for Ulster was rejected by Premier Asquith, who said he believed the government’s proposal offered the only hope of lasting settlement