Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-03-26
KING GEORGES ACT RESENTED
interviewed to Obtain for Third
Brigade Officers Assurance
They Would Not Have to
Fight CarsOn's Men.

OF tne army dflSlOCIdts uS'hil9N ''i''
cratic government
The fact has been established from al!
obtainable evidence that Gen. Hubert
Cough and the other officers Of the 3rd
cavalry brigade demanded and obtained
written assurances, which had been draft
ed by a lawyer. that they would not he
ordered to fight Sir Edward Carson's
Ulster volunteers. and that these assur-
ences were obtained largely through the
personal Intervention of the King.
Before they left London Yesterday they
sent telcgra phic messages to their broth
or officers in Ireland that they had found
support from the highest quarters ON
their arrival at CurraEh camp to-day they
were welcomed by guard of honor with
cheers. and related the outcome of their
Seummons to the war office.
The Throne, which has additionally
kept out of party controversies, both be-
cause of aloofness and as a point OF
honor with public men and newspapers.
is involved in the discussion as 1t has
never been before during King Georges
reign or that of his extremely diplomatic
father The section Of the liberals who
opposed what they denounce as a sur
render TO a military oligarchy. are criu-
cisng the King with the greatest free
dom.
KINGS ACTION RESENTED.
They resent his action in summonng
TO the palace Field Marshal Lord Rob
erts, who, in his speeches. advised the
officers that they might properly refuse
service in suppressinC the Ulster ire
conclables, and criticise His Majesty for
dealing personally with Field Marshal
chief Of tho General
staff, and Gen. Sir Arthur Pagct, COM
manding the forces in Ireland who should
have been dealt with. they think, only
by the secretary of state for war, in ac-
cordance with the customary official
routine.
The government has promised to throw
more light tomorrow upon recent his
tory by giving to Parliament all the
written communications with General
Paget and the officers who refused serv-
ice. but how far the negotiations were
carried on by written communications
remains to be seen.
The governments two spokesman,
Colonel Seely, secretary for war, in the
House Of Commons, and Niscount Morley
of Black burn in the Hotse of Lords,
We're confronted to-day by persistent de-
mands for explicit information. They
were asked as to exactly what assur-
ances the government gave the military
officers and whether they were written
or verbal.
REFUSE TO SPEAK.
Both refused to answer any questions
before the papers were presented to the
House.
If these papers disclose that the gov
fused duty in Ulster Premier Asquith's
administration will face great danger
from rebellion in its own ranks The
most reliable parliamentary writer's will
make this statement in the morning
papers
The labor party members who through
out Mr. Asqulth's administration have
been criticised by many of the rank and
file of their party for seeming to be
docilely chained to his chariot wheels,
are in open revolt They harp upon the
fact that Tom Mann was sent to prison
for six months for melting the soldiers
to refuse to fire upon strikers when or
dered, and demand to be informed as to
whether there is to be one law for arlsto-
Gratis with commissions and another for
plebians in the ranks when it comes to
matters Of conscience and obedience to
orders.
DRAWING ROOMS OR PEOPLE.
John Redmond, the leader of the
Irish nationalist party. in a statement
to the Associated Press to-day declared
that the question Is whether the at
mosphere Of the aristocratic London
drawing rooms or the will Of the ma
jority of the people should prevail.
The House OF Commons witnessed n
telling demonstration this afternoon
of how the land lies. 1t showed where
not only the Irish home rulers and la
borites, who made Premier AsQulth's
majority and hold the balance of pow
or in the House. stand, but that many
liberals are opposed to what from
their present information they CON
slider surrender to the army officers
The army appropriation bill was un-
der discussion, and the unionist Leo
pold c. Amery moved n reduction for
the purpose of criticising the govern
ment. on the ground that il was not
entitled to use the army for party pur-
poses, which is the basis of the union
'st position in the present crisis.
THE KING rs CRITICISED.
The laborite John Ward, who was
dock laborer and at one time
private in the army seconded the mo-
ton, but from a different point of
view. He said that the Conservatives
by approving the rebellion of the Of
ficers have Started to smash the
British army" The House. he said
had to decide whether it was going
TO maintain the discipline of the army
ms neutral force, or whether the
Parliament elected by the people should
absolutely without Interference from
the King or the army make the laws
of the realm"
When the speaker uttered in stentor-
tan tones. without interference from
the King or the army" giving a cal
culated and dramatic pause after the
word "King." half the House was on
Its feet cheering. All the labor mem
bers and all the Home Rule Irishmen,
and not only they, but very many of
the Liberal members, stood and shouted
for a considerable space of time.
Parliament has not witnessed such
an obviously hostile criticism of the
throne in the memory Of Il 70 nLlaet