New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-02
ASQU|TH MAJORITY 81
"BIazing IndisCretion' by Bonar
Law in Commons Debate.
GENERAL ELECTION SOON?
Pointed Question by Premier
Indicates He Contemplates
Appealing to Country.
GBX Gable to The Tribune }


London, Jan. 1.-Two surprising de-
velopments marked yesterdays debate
In the House of Commons on the
amendment moved by SIR Edward Car
son. with the object of excluding Ulster
from the operation of the Home Rule
bill. Andrew Bonar Law, leader Of the
Opposition, possibly smarting from the
attacks made on him by members Of
his own party over the question of food
taxes, made the astonishing declaration
that Ulster would rather be governed
by a foreign country than by Ma
tionalist Parliament in Dublin, and so
clever parllamentarian as Winston
Churchill did not fail to make the most
Of this blazing indiscretion, pointing
out that ii showed what was meant by
the so-called loyalty of the Ulster I'm
ionists. Rather than accept the con-
stitution under British country they
would prefer TO be annexed 10 a for
eign country. That was the latest Tory
threat Ulster would secede 10 Ger
many. The dragging Of Germany into
the debate caused some uproar, but
eventually the amendment was defeat
ed by a majority of 81. This figure,
while below the normal Ministerial ma
jority, would undoubtedly have been
much smaller had not Mr.. Bonar Law
made his remarkable admission, which
practically prevented any Liberal Sc
cessions.
Before the vote was taken Mr.. AS
auth put a question TO the Opposition
leader. which lends color 10 the state
ment previously cabled about the pos
sibility of a general election in the
spring The Prime Minister said:
Surprising the bill as it stands, in
Guiding Ulster with the rest of Ire
land, were submitted to the electors OF
the country and approved by them,
what would then be the attitude Of
Ulster? That is a very serious ques-
ton and one to which we are entitled
to rec<ive an answer"
Mr.. BOnar Law lost no time in ac-
cepting the challenge. He stated that
If the bill were submitted to the cleo
tors, and If it received their approval,
then the Unionist party would not sup
port Ulster in resisting 1t. II, how
ever, the government attempted to
force il upon Ulster without such APP
prevail. then he would assist Ulster in
resisting H.
This passage at arms indicates that
the government may be contemplating
an appeal 10 the country on the ques-
ton of Home Rule at a time when the
Unionist party is at skies and sevens
ago Mr.. Asquth would scarcely have
made such an offer, but the extraordi-
nary development in the situation since
Mr.. Bonar Law spoke at Ashton under
Lyme has given the Liberals at least a
fighting chance of success.
II the election took place at an early
date Il would be impossible to keep
food taxes out OF the fray, but if the
Liberals should prove successful it is
more than likely that the Unionist
leader would withdraw his undertake
ing. on the ground that the election had
not been fought on Home Rule at all.
London. Jan. An attempt was made
this afternoon to instil some semblance Of
New Year yigor into the Home Rule de-
bate I'm the House of Commons The
members from Ulster proposed the ex-
cusion of the northern province Of Ire
land from the operations of the measure.
Sir Edward Carson, in moving an
amendment TO that effect, pleaded for
serious consideration Of the question.
which might, he said. be vital to the sue
cess Of the bin and 10 the whole constitu-
ton Of the United Kingdom.
Premier Asqulth followed Sir Edward
Carson. and Immediately made it quite
clear that the government would not ac-
cept tho amendment To the Home Rule
bill. 1T would wreck the bill he de-
cIared as the effect Of the amendment
would BE- 10 exclude several Nationalist
counties from the operations OF the act.
The Premier asked the Unionists TO de-
clare clearly-what their attitude would be
II the Home Rule bill in it, present form
was submitted to the electorate and ap-
proved
Andrew Bonar Law, leader of the OPP
position. said that if the bill were put be-
fore the electors and they supported 1t the
Conservative party would not encourage
resistance to it by the Obstetrics, but If
the government attempted to force the
measure through against the wishes Of
the people n Ulster he would heartily
assist them i'm resisting IT.
MIR Law said he believed the Ulster
loyalists would rather submit to being
ruled by "A foreign country than by the
Nationalist.
Winston Spencer Churchill. First Lord
of the Admiralty. who when he arose to
address the chamber was greeted with
loud Opposition cries Of rat" and trail
tor" twitted Mr. Law for insinuatlng
that the Ioyalist FISHERMEN would rather
be annexed by foreign country than
continue their allegiance to the crown If
the bill were passed.
on division the amendment was defeated
bv a vote Of 29i to l97.