The Sentinel=record., 1912-09-29
THOUSANDS SIGN
 THE COVENANT
ULSTERiTEs DETERMINED NEVER TO SUBMIT TO RULE OF AN
 IRISH PARLIAMENT.
Sir Edward Carson the Dominant Fig- ure in the Breaking of Ties
 of Ireland.

Belfast, Ireland Sept 2S.-As the
 crowning point of their determination
 never to submit to domination of an
 Irish parliament, thousands of Ulster ties, Unionists, and Orangemen devos-
 ed today to signing the covenant of
 resistance to home rule. But, notwith-
 standing the anxiety and dread as to
 what might happen, Ulster day passed
 off without serious disturbance. In expectation of rioting. troops
 were quartered in the city, but were not needed Only one demon
 stration of fractional feeling developed which threatened fora brief space to became serious. After football
 match between Protestant and Cath
 ollie teams at Celtic park, as the | crowds were returning home several green flags were waved The appear
 anc of these emblems of nationalism started several fierce fights. but the po- | lice stopped the conflicts before any body was badly hurt.
 Religious services preceded the sign | ing of the covenant and services of a similar nature took place in many churches throughout Ulster. Undoubt- edly the arrangements whereby the signing of the document was treated as solemn religious obligation exer- cised restraining influence on the bellicose Orangemen. while the humor- ous view taken of the ceremony by Nationalists tended to diminish their hostility. The aspect of the city, however, throughout the day was decidedly martial. The air resounded with the tramp of we'll drilled civilians going and coming from the city hall, where the covenant was signed while bands played patriotic airs. From noon unti! late tonight signatures were attached
 at the rate of 800 every minute and a half
 Sir Edward Carson, who has an nounced his willingness to stand at the forefront of the battle until victory is won-however fought out-was the dominant figure of the day. After a dinner given in honor of the occasion,
 he received a congratulatory address from the English protestant associa- tions. Then, accompanied by members of the Ulster committee and English Unionist members of parliament who have been prominent in this campaign. he went to the Donegal quay to take the steamer for Liverpool, where he will attend a big big anti-home rule demonstration Monday
 From the Ulster club. to the quay side Sir Edward and his party were escorted by a torehlight procession through immense throngs cheering en- thusiasticaliy. As the steamer ma ie it's way down the Lough, every eniN i hence on shore was Illuminated by beacon fires.
 Prior to embarking, Sir Edward de livered speech saying he did not know nnder what circumstances he would return to Belfast. If it were to
 be for peace. he preferred it, but If it were to be fight, he would not shrink
 We have taken step today" he added, which has pitt our enemies in
 such difficulty that tonight they are
 asking what on earth are the Union ists going to do. Our enemies had better made up their minds on one thing, namely, not to interfere with | Belfast
 Prior to this. he had made a speech l from the balcony of the Ulster club. where, under a blaze of searchlights.
 he reviewed the march of the Unionist clubs.
 Great crowds assembled at the quay
 side, and from the steamers deck Sir l Edward said;
 1 While I am in England and Scot
 land fighting your battle, l ask that
 you keep the flag flying-no surren- | der"
 A band played Rule Brittania, . E"Come Back to Erin" and God Save the King" the crowd joining in.