The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-25
Premier Asquith Refuses tt
Accept His Resignation.
A "White Paper" Is Laid Be-
fore the Parliament.
RESERVATIONS ARE EXPLAINED
Correspondence Between War
Office and Commander.
Officers Wishing to Quit We're
to Be Dismissed.

London. March 25-The resignation
Of Colonel John Seely secretary for
war; followed quickly after the publi-
cation today of the White Paper CIV
ing details of the crisis in the British
army whose officers refused to partici-
pate in active operations against the
Inhabitants of Ulster, who had pre-
pared to offer armed resistance to the
Introduction of home rule.
Colonel Seely, in his valedictOry ad-
dress to the house of commons. denied
that King George had taken any ini-
tiative of any kind in the army crisis
He said:
THE suggestion is absolutely without
foundation, in the broadest sense. His
majesty took no initiative of any kind"
Premier Asquith refused to accept
Colonel Seely's resignation.
He Makes Statement.
Colonel Seely, speaking in the house
of commons, asked the indulgence of
the house, in view of a statement he
would have to make before the close
cepted as confirmation of the report OF
the secretary of wars resignation.
The house of commons buzzed with
excitement and was crowded to its ut
most capacity when Lord Charles
Beresford opened the attack on the
government by demanding information
as to the naval movement in competition
with the situation in Ulster.
WAS the battle squadron ordered to
steam at full speed from Spanish wat
ers to the Irish coast, and ordered to
embark field guns?" he asked.
Amid ministerial cheers and derisive
laughter from the Unionists, Winston
Spencer Churchill. first lord OF the
admiralty, admitted the battle squad
ron had been ordered to Lamlash 80
70 ho in, the coast OF
ireland in case of serious disturbance
arising. When it was clear that the
military precautionary movements had
beer carried out without opposition it
was decided that this movement of
the fleet could be delayed until the
Easter leave period of the crews was
over"
The statement of the first lord was
i'm m ediately followed by an outburst
of questions. A UniOnist member ask
ed if Mr.. Churchill expected that
''this precautionary movement OF
troops would lead to fighting"
In a moment the first lord flared
up. II repudiate the hellish sugges-
tIon," he shouted.
When the consequent uproar had
subsidized the speaker reprimanded Mr..
Churchill, saying that such an express
sion should not have been used.
The first lord regretfully withdrew
it and the storm passed off as quickly
as it had arisen.
A Written Guarantee. NJ
Documents made public today dis
close officially the fact that the British
government gave officers in Ireland
written guarantee that they would not
use the army to crush listers politi-
cal opposition to the home rule bill.
The correspondence however. points
out that the government retains its
right to use the army to maintain law
and order. The orders issued by the
war Office in respect to the duties of
the army in Ireiand, chiefly in connec-
ton with the protection Of government
stores, arms and ammunition, are given
very completely. The correspondence,
however, omits the verbal communica-
ton made by General Sir Arthur Pa
get, to the officers ut the Curragh camp,
which led to their resignation and
which the government argues was the
result of Misunderstanding"
That the version of General Paget's
communication read by Andrew Bonar
Law. leader of the opposition. in the
house of commons on. Monday was sub
Stantially correct, seems clearly indi-
Gated. Mr.. Law on that occasion read
a letter in which General Paget stated
that active operations were to begin
aEairst Ulster and that it was expect.sd
the country would be in blaze by
Saturday"
The Irish commander-in-chief wrote
that he was il close communication
with the war Office and had received
instructions from headquarters. to no.
tify his officers, that those of them
domiciled in Ulster would be allowed to
disappear and be afternard reinstated.
They must. however, give their word
of honor not to fight for Ulster. Under
published correspondence, Brigadier
General Hubert Cough underlines
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