The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1914-03-25
LIBERAL BACKDOWN.


it is difficult TO Judge tho situation
III England from the conflicting dis
patches. The doubt in which IL is Oh.
scurinC is probably due TO the fact
that even in England and Ireland
neither side knows Just where it stands.
The Liberals arc seeking to con
ycy the impression that they have
carried out their plans in detail
and that they will continue 10
follow their programme without de-
Walton. On the other hand, the
ariStocrstic elements opposing home
rule and the other important reforms
of the Liberal party cannot restrain
their delight at what they believe to
he the hackdown of tue government.
The government has gained some ad
vantage by its present experience. 1t
has discovered widespread disaf1ec
tiou among the army officers, and
can place its hands on the chief
rebels whenever n new military move
Is 10 be made. Apparently it has been
frightened by the extent of the mutiny
and has refrained from radical coercion
in Ulster. 1T seeks to save it's face by
the excuse that its orders were mis-
understood and that Sir Arthur Paget
blundered when he informed his Of
Gcers that they were to undertake a
rcpressive campaign in Ulster. The
government protests that it merely
sought to station in Ulster loyal troops
which could be relied on to protect the
arsepals and other military stations in
case Of attack. Neither the friends nor
the foes of the government, however,
place any faith in this explanation.
They believe that the government, after
it had ascertained how extensive was
the disloyalty Of the officers in the army
and navy, decided that discretion was
the only possible way to escape dis
aster. 1t was even reported at the
aristocratic Carlton club that when
ship squadron to Belfast with the OBJ
ject of landing marines, Admiral
Bailey replied that the squadron was
not III position to go to sea. This
was an obvious subterfuge and
the aristocrats are Dragging about the
admiral s cleyerness. The navy com
mands the entire situation IL it re-
fuses to act the government can
transport no troops TO ireland and no
supplies for those already there.
This list of difficulties apparently
makes out bad case for the govern
meut. and vet the situation, if rightly
handled, is far from hopeless. Seventy.
iiyc per cent Of the army and of the
people of England are said TO be in
favor OF the government. If this is
truc. the government can win if it
moves cautiously.
George V saw an opportunity to
exert a power which has been denied
the Kings of England since the time
Of Charles /, and like Charles. who
WAS beheaded for his fight on parlia-
ment. the present monarch has practi.
,al!v repudiatcd his cabinet and has
sought to make war on il through the
mediam of tue nobility and their re.
tainers. 1t is Il pcrilous experiment in
these days of popular rulc for king
TO attempt To turn back the dial OF
democratic progress. II is not likely
That he can win a permanent victory
even # the present cabinet goes down
10 defeat, The result may involve con
timed Injustice TO Ireland, but II may
also involve the abolition Of the house
of lords aud the kingship itself
The indications arc that the Tory
leaders understood the situation in the
army much better than did the govern.
uepi II l. quite possible that a secret
propaganda has been carried on with
the aid Of Tory funds 10 stir up rebel
lion among the officers.
The cabinet can well afford TO bidc
It's time and place the odium of any
ronfiict upon the Ulsterites themselves.
The government can proceed in orderly
fashion TO pass the home rule bill rs
originally framed. The Irish parla-
ment can then meet and make laws
which will apply TO Ulster as well as
10 all the other counties of the Emerald
Isle. When the law is sought to be en-
forced the Ulsterites will rebel. and
then the government will be compelled
10 take definite action. Meantime il
Will have been able to make such
changes in the army and navy IS will
prevent repetition OF the present
iasco.
On the other hand, IL may De neccs-
-ary for the government TO make new
concessions. Ii could pass a home rule
bill. if the NatiouaIists consented, ap.
plying tP ali of Ireland except Ulster,
and thtte defer for lono t,uc ,n1.