Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-03-23
PREMIER AsoulrH ANNOUNCES
TROOP MOVEMENT Is ONLY
PRECAUTIONARY.
CONTROVERSY TRANSFERRED
TO HOUSE OF COMMONS
vasue oeatsnsnt Mads to House Fails
to satisfy Opposition Element and
Fears Are Expressed That Army
Will De Disrupted by Government
Policy Of Fereins designations.

feeling was croated in the British Isles
today by the reassuring statement Civ
en- out by Premier Asquith to the effect
that troop movements In Ulster had
been ordered only as a precautionary
measure for the protection Of govern
ment property.
Tho inference is drawn that the
governments intention toward army
officers who did not desire to serve
against the Orangemen was misinter-
preted. The whole country looked to-
day to the house Of commons. to which
the Irish controversy has been trans
ferred. A belief was general today that
Gen. Sir Arthur Paget. commander in
chief in Ireland, had placed a much
graver Interpretation on the govern
ment's inquiries as to the feeling OF
army officers in Irish garrisons than
was intended. He presented an ulti-
matum to the officers that they must
serve or resign. Sir Arthur has al
ways taken serious view Of the re-
fusal OF army officers to serve in Ul-
ster.
General Paget. Brig.-Gen. Hubert
Cough, commander OF the cavalry bri-
yade at Curragh, and other OFFICERS at
tached to the Irish garrisons. reached
London today and Immediately went to
The war Office for a conference with
Cen. John Selly, secretary Of the war
office, and Field Officer Gen. John
french.
Statement 70 Commons Vague.
The interest in the disaffec-
tion in the army arising out
Of the newest phase Of the home rule
situation, was Displayed in the house
Of commons this afternoon, when the
house was crowded to listen to a
statement from Colonel ,Seely. The
communication was very brief and Sft-
terly vague. The gist OF i was that
some officers had informed Gen. 1lf
Arthur Paget, commander-in- chief of
Ireland, that they could not serve in
certain eventualities. These officers.
he said, had been ordered to rejoin
their regiments. The movements of
troops. he declared, was ordered mere-
" to protect government stores.
Both Premier Asquith and Andrew
Bonnar Law. leader Of the opposition,
recognized the widespread anxiety for
an exhaustive debate on the subject by
agreeing to an adjournment of the
house after the secretary Of war had
spoken.
Fears Army's Disruption.
The leader Of the opposition declared
the governments procedure was a most
amazing instance Of paltering with the
house of commons. The danger OF the
British army being destroyed before
the country's eyes. he said. had come
on the government like bolt from the
blue sky. He had, he said, received
proof from other quarters apart from
the cavalry regiments that designations
OF officers had occurred.
S. He read letters in which It was said
II the officers did not fight against the
UIstermen they would be dismissed
from the service.
The opposition leaders read letter
in which Gen. Sir Arthur Paget mad
stated to the commanding officers OF
regiments that active operations were
to begin against Ulster and that 1t was
expected that the country would be IN
a blaze by Saturday. The Irish com
mander- in chief wrote that he was in
communication with the war onice and
had received instructions from mead
quarters. Mr.. Law said:
att will be difficult for the prime
minister to Convince the house that the
movement Of troops was not part OF a
nlan to provoke or intimidate Ulster.