The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-09-23
Irish Unionists Prepare
to Register Their
Protests.
MAYBEPRELUDETO
GREAT REBELLION
Ulster Day" Will Witness Re-
variable Political Sacrament
and Covenant" Against Par
liament-Plan May Be
Signed by Million De-
termined People.

London, September 22.-On SATURDAY
September IS, Cnionists Of the north-
ern counties of Ireland propose 70
register their formal defiance OK
home rule. Gatherings in halls ana
market places, even in cnurches' the
men Of Ulster will sign a covenant
pledging themselves never TO suoMit
to any government from Dublin "hish
may be imposed upon the country by
the Asoutth Redmond home rule dill
passed in the House of Commons.
ulster day" is the designation
chosen for this remarkable political
sacrament According to its promo
tiers il will prove a show OF determ ma
ton so solemn and Impressive mat
the British Cabinet will hesitate long
before attempting to enforce us
scheme for partial separation OF Ire
land from the United Kingdom. But
viewed through spectacies OF another
political color. the affair is not to be
taken seriously.
Home rule in it's moderate form for
se,f-xovernment. instead Of complete
separation for Ireland, has aroused
no deeper political feeling In England
than other questions-the tariff. the
lords and Lloyds-George's taxation
measures Indeed. most Engltshmen
appear willing that ireland should
have about all the power involved In
Mr. Redmond's program, II only the
constant strife and racial bitterness
can be ended. But the stumbling
block has developed in the Unionists
Of Ulster. Before they will submit
to separation they will have civil war.
their leaders threaten. Home rulers,
however, treat these threats with rid
icule. Members OF Parliament like
ESx- No Yrf0
F. E. Smith. one of the most conspi-
cuous of the younger Conservatives.
who is not an Irishman, have made
speeches in Parliament and outside.
announcing freely that Ulster Will
never recognize a home rule govern
ment and urging the people TO resist
It.
Not Yet q Law. .
The home rule bill has not become
law and the question arises whether
people may be dealt with for prepar-
ing to resist proposals which have
not yet attained the final stage OF law
and may never attain it.
Sir Edward Carson and +. +. Smith
are to be the first to write their names
to the covenant" in Belfast City Hall.
where the largest assembly, is expected.
Ulster enthusiasts say from $4,000 TO
100000 will sign the declaration.
The Belfast corporation has requested
all employers to give Saturday to their
men as a day OF rest" The govern
ing body of one Presbyterian Church
has issued manifesto declaring that
the home rule bill threatens religious
freedom. and setting apart the day as
one for worship and prayer. The
covenant is to be signed on the steps
Of the Belfast Cathedral and religious
services will be held there. as well as
in many Presbyterian. Methodist and
Church Of ireland places OF worship in
Ulster
Unionist women have formulated
draft OF declaration for members OF
their sex to sign and are preparing
to demonstrate with the men.
The signing of the covenant may
prove the prelude to a great rebellion
or il may be a fash in the pan Two
years at best must elapse before home
rule can begin to be established be-
cause the House OF Lords ca. hold up
the bill for that time. The presen.
drift Of political feeling indicates that
the Liberal party may go out Of oiice
within that period
Ulster Day. however. may b.. an ex-
citing occasion. Great political meet
ings in Belfast seldom pass yithou,
collisions between Orangemen and Hi
bernians Winston Churchill ped
being mobbed when he addressed q
n ome rule rally there this summer ONLY
through strong police protection. with
in,