The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1914-03-26
Premier Asquith Makes
a Strong Statement,
Which Strengthens Lib
eral Cause; Labor Mem
bers Dissatisfied; Grey
Says Government Will
Use Force When Neces-
Sary.

LONDON, March 25.-The govern
ment published today its promised
statement of its dealings with the re-
voting officers of the Third cavalry
brigade, and the house of commons
held another heated and disorderly
session.
Between the documents presented
and statements drawn from the cabi~
net ministers, the vital facts of the af
fair were made clear. They reveal
comedy, or tragedy, of errors perpe-
trated by Colonel Seely, secretary of
state for war, and Sir Arthur Paget,
commanding the troops in Ireland.
Colonel Seely took all blame upon
his own shoulders. He frankly asserted
he had made a great mistake. His
written assurance to General Hubert
Cough that the government "must re-
tain its right to use all the forces of
the crown in Ireland or elsewhere to
maintain order and support the civil
powers in the ordinary execution Of
their duty, but has no intention of tax
ing advantage Of this right In order to
crush political opposition to the policy
or the principles of the home rule
bill,' was given without tho knowl-
edge of the cabinet and contrary to its
policy.
War Secretary Resigns.
The war secretary rendered his res
ignation to Mr.. Asquith, but the pre-
mier refused to accept it. The govern
ment has withdrawn Colonel Seely' Is
guarantees, according to tho state
ment made by Viscount Morley in the
house of lords, and Sir Edward Grey
told the house Of commons that the
governments decision would be made
known to General Cough tomorrow.
Thus the situation with respect to
General Cough and his fifty-nine COM
rades who sent in their papers still is
in state Of suspense.
The most important revelations of
the day were to the effect that the
government did plan an important
military and naval demonstration upon
Ulster. Winston Spencer Churcnill, first
lord of the admiralty, confirmed the
reports that he had ordered tho Third
battle squadron and torpedo flotilla
to Irish waters, but when the mill
tarv arrangements had been success
fully carried out he countermanded the
orders by wireless. The Liberals re
ceived his explanation with JOY. The
blunder General Paget made appears
TO be in giving a practical ultimatum
TO the officers Of the cavalry brigade
to say whether they would take active
service in Ulster or accept dismissal.
Seely Admits Errors.
The cabinet on Monday framed a
general statement of the officers po-
sitiop and duty under the law, and
Colonel Seely admitted that his error
was in yielding to General Coughs
demand for written assurance that
the army would not be used to sup
press the covenanters.
Premier Asquith' IS statements that
the officers should return to duty un-
were made in good faith,
since he learned of Colonel Seely's
to tho cabinet memoran-
dun only yesterday afternoon. The
prime minister mado plain the govern
ment's position regarding the army to
the house of commons, declaring that
he would not assent to the claim of any
body of men in the service of the
crown to demand assurance of what
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