The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1912-02-08
JEERS AND CHEERS
FOR CHURCHILL AS
HESPEAKS TO IRISH
Crowds Throng Belfast
Streets, But No Violence
Is Attempted.

BELFAST, Feb. SAN enormous
crowd, composed In a great part of
mill hands, greeted winston Churchill
and Mrs. Churchill when they alighted
from the train here at $40 today. They
jeered, hooted, and booed at the first
lord of the admiralty, and when they
saw that he still sat impressive, the mo-
tor car was surrounded and many in
sulting epithets were applied.
The police formed a flying wedge,
and after great deal Of trouble cleared
the way for the car to proceed to the
Grand Central Hotel, where the visitors
were entertained by Lord Ptrrte and
number of the leading Irish Liberals,
and the big meeting scheduled for later
in the day was discussed.
The crowd at the park was. chiefly
Nationalist In character, and Churchill
at the outset Of his speech caught them
self-interest Of the Irish people to sup
port the government policy. He criti-
cised the present parliamentary methods
Of Great Britain SAYING that It was Vas
local and provincial life of the nation.
He commented on the fact that Eng
lands two rivals for commercial su-
premacy, the United States and Ger
many, respectively, are administered, re-
spectively, by forty-six and twenty-three
separate legislative bodies.
In ordere to keep pace with the world
movement, he said he considered 1t vi
tally necessary for England to learn
how to combine the fullest expressions
of National and local aspirations, and
activities with the strongest framework
land, he said, he regarded as the first
milestone along the road to the even
tual unity Of the English speaking races.
Suffragettes Interrupt.
During his speech Churchill was in
terrupted by delegation OF suffragettes,
who tried to put him on record on the
question.
I'VE can safely leave the Irish parlia-
ment to decide the question Of votes for
women" spared Churchill, and the
clever sidestepping was greeted with a
round of cheers. Churchill referred TO
the fear of the Protestant north" that
home rule will mean Catholic aggression
in the following terms:
Il am now looking forward to the
time when the accursed machinery
whereby hatred is manufactured will be
broken forever. I can assure all Ulster
residents that the fears that their lib
erty will be assailed and their faith
prosecuted are groundless.'
Before the cabinet minister departed
for the park to make his speech band
of workmen, carrying clubs, paraded the
streets carrying an effgy OF Churchill
on a pole. They were not molested by
the police, who had orders not to make
arrests unless for actual rioting.
Heavy Rain.
A heavy rain fell throughout the day.
turning the park where the meeting
was scheduled to take place into n bog.
! The great tent. erected to care Of the
crowd. was waterlogged and extra sup
ports were placed under 1t to make 1t
more secure. Because of the threat that
on attempt might be made to demolish
the tent. extra guards were placed all
around it.
The main thoroughfares leading to
the park were iammed with people
Many were on hand merely to see the
show" and contentedly munched thsir
lunch as they held their places along
| the curb and waited for something to
| turn up. A Gordon IF police was thrown
about the hotel where Churchill and the
leaders were comforting, and entrance
| was denied everyone who could moi
produce credentials. John Redmond and
other Nationalist leaders Joined
Churchill. and all PREDICTED no reaI
| trouble.
Churchill, accompanied by a number
| Of Liberal leaders, later proceeded &c
the mark, being teereI by the JIntonist
crowds that lined the route and EN-:
Enthusiastically cheered OTTER he entered
the Nationalist quarter.