The Washington times., 1914-04-15
Copyright. 1914. by James creelman.

LONDONDERRY, Ireland. April 10.
While the comfortable politicians
in london are wrangling noisily for
party advantage. there Is battle ana
murder in the quiet air of ancient
Derry, as in all Ulster. and the
tramp of men preparing for civil
war can be heard in the drill halls
at night.
Within these massive granite walls
that still stand in memory Of that
matchless Protestant defense Of 106
days against the Catholic army Of
King James, when the besieged.
under George Walker, fighting rec
tor of Donoughmore, fought vicious
ly, even when they were feeding on
salted hides, seaweed. horses, cats,
rats and even dogs "fattened by eat
ing the bodies of the slain Irish
here both Catholics and Protestants
are steadily training themselves for
the widespread slaughter that Ii
promised II the Irish home rule bill
becomes a law.
Outside of the venerable battle
ments, where armed Catholics and
Protestants strove so bloodily Tor
mastery 26 years ago. sits the mayor
of Derry. Sir William McLearn' In
his bare little business office, the
calmest man in all the north country.
1t would be hard to think OF a
soberer personality than the small
compact Presbyterian mayor, with
his fine. clean-cut Scotch face. white
side whiskers, fine. straight nose.
handsome, placid gray eyes, and
strong, shrewd mouth.
Terror of Home Rule.
He seems in appearance the per
sonifcation of contentment and
philosophic peace in the heart Of q
country seething with political hatred
and the spirit of war.
THE Protesants Of Ulster are
satisfied to remain as they are under
their King and fiag." he said in
gentle, slow voice. They will never
accept an Irish parliament under the
domination of the Pope. In Derry
there are a thousand drilled Protes-
tant volunteers and there are arms
and ammunition, thank God. for
every man. If any attempt Is made
to put Ulster under an Irish parlia-
ment they will fight. no matter what
the leaders say"
The mild gray eyes smiled pleas
antly and a benign look cane into
the smooth face
Make no mistake" he said. I'VE
will resist the rule OF Rome with
arms in our hands TO the very end
My, but it's a barbarous thing Tor
men to hate each other as people
do here But We will never accept
home rule for Ireland. no matter
We want to be with our King
and our flag. Our taxes are rea-
sonable, our government is good and
fair and We want no change. we
in the north are Industrious and
successful. The rest of Ireland is
slothful. ignorant, unprogressive and
under the heavy hand of the priest
hood.
This terror OF home rule has al
ready ruined much of our business
and the losses run into millions OF
pounds; but we will bear 1t. and
much worse, for the sake OF our
King and religion.
1--WE Will Defend, Not Attack"
4 faint pink came into the cheeks
of Sir William and his jaw seemed
to harden as he pressed his straight.
thin lips together and drew his
brows down.
we are drilling our volunteers
every day." lie said, and We are
all ready. They are fine men and
will fight we'll when the day comes"
Whom are you going to fight,
Si- William
We're not going to attack the
British army. No. no. Never. But
II the army attacks US We Will de-
fend ourselves
Suppose the army comes TO en-
force the home rule bill, II It be-
comes a law?
Then We will resist, and. II We
are attacked, We will fight without
fear for our King and religion
Even IL the home rule law Is en-
acted by the King and parliament"
Our men will fight to the death
against it, said Sir William in
voice of almost cooling softness AMI
with a look of almost sanity kind
ness in his fine countenance.
I'VE are satisfied with things as
they are now. The infamous gov
ernment at London. which has sold
itself for the votes of John Red
mond and his followers, intended to
fill Ulster with soldiers and pro-
woke bloodshed. and We regard the