East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-03-24
UlSTERMEN CLAIM VICTORY OVER GOVERNMENT
King George Believed to Have Forced
Cabinet to PIacate Army Officers
Who Resigned.
SIR ARTHUR PlsET BLAMED
At Conference, British Officers are
Assured They VIII Not be Compelled
to Fight Against Ulster-Bnl VIII
be put in Force as Asquith Intended
IL Is Declared

LONDON, March 24.-The crisis in
the home rule situation Is over, and
both the government and Ireland ap-
feared victorious The exact part that
King George played in the momentous
affair has not been disclosed, but II is
generally believed he forced the cabi-
net to placate the recalcitrant army
officers.
Official statements issued declared
that all misunderstanding have been
swept away. The home rule bill. 1t
was said, would be put in force as Pre-
mier Asquith and the cabinet intended
il should be at the beginning.
Following a conference in London
with government officials. General
Cough, Colonel McEwan and Colonel
Parker returned to their regiments
with the assurance that it was gener-
ally understood they would not be
compelled to fight against the Ulster
men. Many considered this a distinct
surrender by the government and ul-
stermen are jubilant,
Unionists fatty charged the govern
ment with making scapeBoat OF
Commanding General Sir Arthur Pa.
get.
LONDON, March 24.-The defec-
| ton of the army officers who refused
| to serve in Ulster is now a closed in
| cident. but its consequences are likely
| to prove far-reaching. Premier AS
| quith and Colonel Seeley, Secretary
| of State for War. made explanations
| before an excited and turbulent house
/ that the affair is the result of mis-
understanding.
The misunderstanding, he inferred
| also. though he did not directly say so.
| was due to misconstruction of the gov
| ernments plans by the commanding
General. Sir Arthur Paget, who in
| formed the officials in Ireland that
| they were to move on Ulster for re-
| pressive campaign.
General Paget and three senior Of
| ficers from the Curragh camp-Gen-
eral Cough. Colonel McEwan and Coll
onel Parker-were summoned to Lon.
don for conference. According to
official statements. the misunderstand-
ing has been cleared away and these
officers returned TO Ireland. Prior TO
|
entirely satisfied with the results of
their visit
The terms on which the officers re-
manned at their posts were not dis
closed. but the general belief is that
they were assured that they would not
be compelled to fight against the IN
stermen. This is considered distinct
surrender by the government.
Some OF the Unionist members as
sert that Andrew Bonar-Iaw recently
received letter quoting one of the
highest officers in Ireland az saying
by Saturday there will be hun.
dreds of dead in Ulster
The Unionists also accuse the gov
ernment of making "A scapegoat of
General Paget for their own colossal
blunder"
The future of the home rule bill is
wrapped in clouds No declaration of
full steam ahead or meeting force
with force" were heard from the Lib
erals in the debate OF the house OF
. commons None OF the fire and firm
ress which permeated the speeches OF
the Ministers only last week was In
evidence. The army has checkmated
j the government. according to the I'm
ionists' view and the covenanters OF
Ulster have won their fight.
No one will be surprised II the gov
ernment soon relinQuishes armed force
as its action had the immediate re-
suit of striking shower OF sparks oil
class jealousies.