Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-03-26
SEEK ULSTER CHIEFS
BRITISH SOLDIERS TOLD TO AR
REST 200 LEADERS OF RE-
VOLT IN IRELAND.
CRISIS IN THE KINGS ARMY
Mary Officers Resign 20 Avoid Mill
tary Service in North of Ireland
All Face Courts Martial-Troops
Are Being Moved to Scene.

London, March 24.-Gen. Sir Arthur
paget visited Currah on Saturday and
gave General Cough of the Third cav
airy brigade the option of taking CON-
mand at Ulster, or retiring, according
to the Sunday Observer here. Cen
eral Cough, who was allowed two
hours for consideration, resigned i'm
medlately. The Observer saws also
that the government has decided to
issue 200 warrants for the arerst of
the leaders in Ulster.
The governments military precau-
lions to preserve order in Ulster pre-
cipitated crisis without parallel in
the history of the British army. Rather
than be placed in a position where
they might be called on TO act against
the Ulster covenanters, numerous Off
GERS resigned their commissions.
While the war Office refused to say
how many had resigned, popular be-
lief, based on reports from the differ
ent regiments, was that the number Of
Withdrawals had crippled the whole
military organization in Ireland and
prevented carrying out the orders for
moving several large bodies of troops.
The Marquis of Londonderry, one of
the Ulster leaders, said that nothing
OF the sort had occurred in the British
army since the days of the American
revolution.
The entrance OF King George on the
scene as peacemaker was the dramatic
event of the day. He had long confer
ences with the prime minister, Mr. AS
ouith; the secretary of state for war,
Colonel Seely, and several high Off
GERS, and afterward summoned Field
Marshal Lord Roberts, who had been
criticized by the liberals for utter
ances which they construed as en-
enlargement to the officers to refuse
to obey orders.
Meantime the movement of troops
continued in Ireland. The center of
interest shifted to Curragh, 25 miles
from Dublin, where the Third cavalry
brigade under General Cough and the
Fourteenth infantry brigade under
Colonel Rolf were stationed
A Dublin dispatch said that the res
Ignation from the Curragh forces
numbered 40. Other advices placed
the number at 100.
Many rumors were afoat throughout
the day. Among those published and
denied were reports that the govern
ment had issued an ultimatum to the
officers giving them II hours to decide.
whether to obey orders and that two
companies of the Dorsetshire regiment
in Belfast had thrown down their arms
in mutiny.
A Dublin message to a London press
association said that the officers who
refused to obey orders would be ar
rested.
The old town hall of Belfast, which
is the official headquarters OF the pro
visional government" has been denied
to all.
Ulster presents martial aspect. All
the towns were occupied by soldiers
Of the regular army, and other detach-
ments were marching along the coun-
try roads with long trains of baggage
and ammunition carts, on their way to
strengthen the various garrisons. Bel
fast Tough also displayed consider
able activity. Two torpedo boat de-
stroyers, the Pathfinder and the Atten.
tive, arrived there from Kingstown.