Evening star., 1912-09-29
PLEDGE BY ULSTER
Thousands Sign Covenant to
Fight Home Rule.
IMPRESSIVE SERVICE HELD
But Aspect of Belfast During Day
Is Decidedly Martial.
NO SERIOUS DISTURBANCES
Troops Chartered in the City in Ex-
pectation of Rioting Are
Not Needed.
IMPRESSIVE SERVICE HELD
0 SERIOUS DISTURBANCES

BELFAST, September 2S.-As the
croWninS proof of their determination
never to submit to the domina ton of an
Irish parliament thousands of ClSterites
l-unionists and Orangemen-devoted to-
day to signing the covenant of resistance
to home rule. But. Notwithstanding the
anxiety and dread as to what might hap
pen, Ulster day passed off without serl-
Gus disturbance.
In expectation of rioting, troops We're
quartered in the city, but were not need
ed. Only one demonstration of factional
feeling developed. which threatened for a
brief space to become serious. After a
foot ball match between Protestant and
Catholic teams at Celtic Park. as the
crowds were returning home. several
green flags We're waved. The appearance
of these emblems of nationalism started
several fierce fights. but the police stopped
the conflicts before anybody was badly
hurt.
Sir Edward Carson Signs First.
President Edward Carson wrote his
name as the first to sign the solemn cove
nant of the Ulstermen, which binds them
Ito use all the means that may be found
HeCcSSdTS " TIE present
acy to set up home rule in Ireland, and
also to refuse to recognize the authority
of Irish parliament
He was followed by many men who have
become noted leaders in the campaign
against home rule, and these We're sue
ceeded by thousands of the rank and file
of the Orangemen and unionists in the
northern province of Ireland.
dod fba cip O.
of the covenant and services Of a similar
nature were held in many churches
throughout the counties of Ulster Tn
doubtedly the arrangements whereby the
signing of the document was treated as
solemn religious obligation exercised a
restraining influence on the bellicose
Orangemen, while the humorous view
taken of the ceremony by nationalfstS
tended to diminish their hostility.
Aspect Is Martial.
The asp It of the city. however.
throughout the day was decidedly mar
tial The air resounded with the tramp
of well drilled civilians going and coming
from the city hall. where the covenant
was signed while bands played pa
triotic airs. From noon until late to-
night signatures were attached at the
rate of 800 each minute and a half.
Sir Edward Carson. who has announced
his Willingness to stand at the forefront
of the battle until victory is won-how-
ever fought Out-Was the dominant figure
of the day. After dinner given in
honor of the occasion he received con-
gratulator address from the English
Protestant associations. Then. accom-
panied by members of the Ulster COM
mttee and English unionist members of
pa rliament, who have been prominent in
this campaign. he started for the Done
gal quay to take the steamer for Liver
pool where he will attend a big anti
home rule demonstration Monday.
From the Ulster Club to the quayside
Sir Edward and his party We're escorted
by torchlight procession through i'm
mense throngS cheering enthusiastically.
AS the steamer made it's way down the
lougll every eminence on shore was
illuminated by beacon fires