The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-03-23
MAY Be NOBODY TO
FIGHT AGAINST ULSTER

officers have been asked to perform
and that the intention is to reinstate
them and attribute the whole business
to a blunder.
Premier Asquith denied that war;
rants for any Ulster leaders had been
issued and declared that the move
ments of the troops were OF purely
character.
The intention of the government to
institute general inquisition into
the intentions of officers in the event
OF their being asked to take up arms
against Ulster" was also denied.
Calls It Misunderstanding.
LONDON, March 23.-Before an
assemblags which packed the house
of commons, War Secretary Seely ad-
mitted this afternoon that many oth-
GERS Of the British army had declined
to serve in the event OF occupation on
Ulster. Colonel Seely attributed the
declination of the men to serve "un-
der certain contingencies to mis-
understanding by the officers ordered
on duty.
The movement Of troops which has
been under way for the past three
days, was soley for the purpose for
protection of arms and ammunition,
the war secretary declared.
Andrew Bonar Law, leader of oppo-
sition was far from satisfied With
Colonel Seely's explanation Of ths ac-
tivity of the war offic and the move-
I In lott Ir
fullest debate upon what h,e termed
this amazing instance of government
tai paltering."
In support of the stand Of the OPP
position, demanding q more complete
/ explanation. Bonar Law read a letter
quoting General Paget, commander on
! troops in Ireland, to the effect that
active operations were about to begin
and admitting that this war office had
/ issued instructions. The statement OF
Seely had been awaited with the
greatest interest followed his confsr-
ence with King George during the
4 morning, while cabinet Was IN sess
hsion. His explanation was SUPPOSED
to hays the approval OF the king.
| who has shown the greatest uneasi-
ness over the situation.
The efforts of the government to
| make it appear that the disaf'action
| in the army was due entirely to the
misinterpretation of orders by Cen
eral Paget was bitterly resented by
the opposition. Colonel Seely plainly
indicated that the idea Of the sounds
ing OF sentiments Of the officers who
w,re asked to remain on duty were
taken entirely too seriously by Paget-
General Paget as well as General
Cough and other officers stationed in
ireland. reached London during the
morning and went into immediate
conference with Seely. Tremendous
inter sst was aroused by the fornlas
statement of Colonel Seely. So in-
tense was the feeling in the crowds
which gathered, that noisy outbreaks
about the house of commons were
frequent. Bonar Laws demand for
further explanation from the governs
ment met with complste approbation'
from the union.st sympathizers.
Replying to Bona~ Law, Premi n
Asauith heatedly denied the authen-
ticity of the statement quoted In the
Paget letter declaring the movement
of troops was the first step toward the
CONQUEST of Ulster. He also denied
that officers had been warned THAI
refusal to serve in Ulster would ba
followed by dismissal.
The premier declared that Generat
Paget had never received instructions
as the letter read by Bonar Law de-
clared and repudiated the statement
entirely. He said it was true that
General Cough and others had mis-
intreprets sd instructions which We're
issued. but declared that the Wan
Office was satisfied it was wholly a
misunderstanding and that the ott,-
GERS were also satisfied with the eX-
planation made to them.
Commanding generals were inform