New-York tribune., 1912-01-26
CHURCHILL CLIMBS DOWN
British Minister Will Not Insist
on Ulster Hall Meeting.
BUT is RESOLVED TO SPEAK
To vindicate Right of Free
Speech He Will Hold Forth
Elsewhere in Belfast.

Iondon. Jan. o. - Winston Spencer
Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty.
has sent a letter 10 the Marquis OF London
derry. former Lord Lieutenant Of Ireland
and one of the most active of the Unionist
leaders opposing the proposed Home Rule
meeting. stating that he will advise the
Ulster Liberal Association not to insist
upon holding the meeting in Ulster Hall.
Belfast, as contemplated. on February S,
He adds. however. that he intends to de-
liver speech somewhere in Belfast on
that day.
Mr. Churchill says in his letter: 1t Is
my duty TO keep my promise to the
Ulster Liberal Association and assert the
right of free speech in a public meeting.
But as the main objections appear to he
directed against the holding Of tho meeting
in Ulster Hall, | shall ask the irish Lib
eral Association TO accedc 10 your Wlsh.
There will thus be no necessity for your
friends To endure the hardships Of vigil
or sustain the anXieties Of a siege. Neither
will II he necessary for you to break the
law in an attempt to deprive us forcihly
of the use of property to which We are
lawfully entitled"
become Of Importance TO public liberties
that a meeting should take place at Bel
fast on Fcbruary.S s. and I intend to hold
it there in the lawful exercise of the ele-
mcntary rights of citizenship
The English rnionst press this morning
urged Mr.. Churchill to cancel his visit AL
together. pointing out that a fight between
the two parties on the day Of the demon
stration in Belfast will not put an end to
tho trouble Fears are expressed I'm some
quarters that hostiities will he carried on
for weeks and perhaps months. not only
in Belfast. but throughout Ulster.
The meeting was originally arranged by
the Master OF Elibank, Alexander W. c. q.
Murray. Liberal Member Of Parliament for
Midlothian. Scotland, and Parliamentary
Secretary to the Treasury. lie justified the
calling OF the meeting in Belfast on the
ground that Winston Spencer Churchill
proposes to outline In" Home Rule propo-
sails for ireland which the government
will introduce into Parliament. Ireland,
be considers. is the proper place for that
to be done. The Home Rule meeting will
now doubtless be held in Queens Hall.
which Is situated In the Nationalist district
OF Belfast Even So however. the Union
lists may invade that quarter in order to
endeavor TO prevent the demonstration.
The Unionsts. headed by Lord London
derry have found A stanch ally I'm the Bel
fast IIarbor Board which practically not-
fed the First Lord of the Admiralty to-day
that In its opinion he had better keep away
from the capital of Ulster.
Mr. Churchill announced 10 the Commits
sioners Of Belfast Harbor yesterday that
ne desired 10 visit the harbor and docks
on February 2. the day after the proposed
Home Rule meeting. Tho Commissioners
drew UP reply TO the effect that Febru-
airy would not he a convenient date for
thcm for tho proposed inspection Of the
harbor and docks.
Although tho Unioulsts have ioyfuily
hailed Mr.. Churchllrs decision as re.
treat largely due TO tho rebuff admins
fe~od hy the Belfast narbor commissioners,
there is liitlc doubt that they welcome the
opportunity to escape from an unpleasant
position. as public opinion seemed 10 bc
going against them. Mr. churchlrs lsttcr
was made public 100 late FOR tho Orange
leaders 10 arriye at a decision tonight
but the general belief Is that tho trouble
has been avortcd, and tho harhor board
appear 10 have placed themselves IN an
uncomfortable position by nccdlessly snub-
blng tho First lord NJ the Admiralty.
In a long article In Reynolds Weekly
Newspaper" dealing with the situation
John r. Redmond, leader Of tho Irish Ma
tionalists reminds the Brtish public thai
the threats do not emanate from the gen
eral body of Protostants in Ireland. but
from a small and noisy minority of Orange
men. who arc opposed 10 every great re-
form for tho benefit or Ireland