Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-03-26
MUT|Ny IN ULSTER
LAID TO BLONDER
British War Secretary Re-
signs, Assuming All the
Blame.
BUT IS .REINSTATED.
Stormy Scenes in House of Commons
Debate Bitter-Churchill Earns
Rebuke From Speaker.

London, March 26.-A conference
of practically all the general officers
of the army in England is in prog
ress at the War Office today. The
purpose of the conference was not
stated, but in Dublin, General Cough
declared the officers would hold the
war council to it's promises.
The atmosphere was far from
cleared today. The question was
still, "Shall the army rule Eng
land?"
The general impression is that
Premier Asquith's belated repudia-
tion of the Cough treaty" in the
commons yesterday, only temporari-
ly averts the downfall of his cabi-
net.
Many liberals regard the retention
of Colonel Seely as war minister as
most serious blunder. The prem
'ier repudiated his temporizing with
the officers stationed in Ireland, but
by failing to accept Colonel Seely's
resignation, it is believed Asquith
placed the government in position
from which it will not be able to
emerge without disruption.
The designations of Field Marshall
Sir John French and General Ewart
are momentarfly expected. They are
said to be incensed at the temporing
and the withdrawal of the promises
given the officers. The action is re-
garded as conducive to anything but
gccd discipline.
1t is declared that the officers Of
the Irish commands will never con-
sent to fight Ulster.
London, March 26.-The govern
ment has published its promised state
ment Of its r'ealings with the revolt
ing officers Of the Third Cavalry Bri-
gade, ani the House of Commons
held another heated and disorderly
session.
Between the documents presented
and the various statements drawn
from the Cabinet of Ministers, the
vital facts of the affair were made
clear They reveal comedy or trag-
edy, of errors perpetrated by Colonel
Seely, Secretary Of State for War, am!
Sir Arthur Paget, commanding the
troops in Ireland.
Colonel Seely' took all the -blar'e
upon his own shoulders. He frankly
declared that he had made. a great
mistake. His written assurance to
Gen. Herbert Cough that the. govern
ment ."must retain its. rights to use
all the force of the Crown in Ireland
or elsewhere to maintain order and
support the civil powers in the ordin-
arv execution of their duty, but has
no intention whatever Of taking ad-
vantage of this right in order to crush
political opposition to the policy or
principles of the Home Rule bill" was
given without the knowledge OF the
Cabinet, and contrary to its policy.
The War Secretary ten:ered his
resignation to Mr.. Asquith, but the
premier refused to accept it. Inc
government has withdrawn Colonel
seely's guarantee, according to the
statements made by Viscount Morley
in the House of Lords, and Sir Ed
ward Grey told the House of Com
mons that the governments decision
would be made known to General
Cough tomorrow. Thus the situation
with respects to General Cough and
his 50 comrades who sent in their pa
pers is still in state Of suspense.
The most ilnportant revelations Of
the day were to the effect that the
government d:h plan an important
military an naval demonstration
upon Ulster. Winston Spencer
Churchill, First Lord of the Admiral
ity, confirmed the reports that he had
ordered the Third battle squadron and
torpedo flotil!a to Irish waters, but
explained that when the military ar
irangements had been successfully car
ried out he counterman.ed the orders
by wirelesz-an explanation which the
Unionists received with jeers
The blunder General Paget made