Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-25

mieT AsQultn ItAuseu ~ oeSSPb 'AS
resignation OF Colonel Seeley. After
4 svmpa.hetic reception held by the
house OF commons and the secretary
of war gave explanation Of his action
REGARDING army officers in Ireland.
the premier decided not TO sacrifice
his lieutenant
London. England, March 25.-After
a protracted council this morning a
rumor started that the entire cabinet
had decided TO resign. Reports were
current that Colonel Seeley, secretary
of war. and Winston Spencer Churc-
hill. first lord of the admiralty, had
resigned.
Colonel SeeIey. secretary of war,
has resigned from the cabinet
The resignation of Seeley followed
quickly after publication Of the white
paper giving details of the crisis in
the British army, whose officers re-
fused to participate in active opera
tions against Ulster. In his valedic-
tory address in the house of COM
mons Seeley denied that King George
had taken s-y initiative Of any kind
in the army crisis. Correspondence
between Seeley and officers in Ireland
had astounded the country and in the
opinion of seasoned politicians de-
manded one OF two things, the cash
iering OF -Seeley- or the resignation OF
the entire cabinet. The first course
vas decided on at a prOtracted cab
met council this morning. Later in
the commons, Premier Asquith made II
clear that instructions given to Gen
eral Paget before his interview with
the officers under him had emanated
directly from the war office, but
were not submitted TO the prime min
ister By the secretary o war. Up to 6
o'clock Asquith had not accepted See
ley's resignation.
5eresford Attacks Government.
The house Of commons buzzed with
excitement and was crowded to
capacity when Lord Beresford open
ed an attack on the government de
handing information as 10 the naval
governments connection with Ulster.
Was a battle squadron ordered to
steam full speed from Spanish waters
% the Irish coast and ordered TO en-
bark field guns2T he asked. Amid
ministerial cheers and laughter of
uniOnists First Lord Of Admiralty
Churchill admitted that the battle
squadron had been ordered to Lam
lish so TO be in proximity to the
coast Of Ireland in case OF serious dis
turbsnce and when II was clear that
military precautionary movements
had been carried out without opposi-
ment OF the fleet could be delayed
until Easter, as the leave period OF
the crews was over" The statement
was followed by a cyclone of ques-
tons. 4 uHionist member asked If
this precautionary movement OF
troops would lead to fighting?'
Churchill nared up, 81 repudiate the /.
hellish suggestion" When the con- !
sequent uproar had subsidized the .
speaker reprimanded Churchill for
his remark and the first lord regret 4
fully withdrew II, and the storm pass /
Cd OF as quickly as it had arisen.
seeley Defends His Acts.
Churchill, continuing his reply TO 4
Beresford, said: The admiral want .
ed field guns in order to exercise his 4
inen IN case Of bad weather"
After BOnar Law, leader Of the op- |
position. had asked for presentation
10 the house OF details omitted from
he white paper, Colonel Seeley open
60 his defense. He declared he had
nothing TO conceal, that his fnstruc-
Tons TO take certain steps TO protect
NE government depot at Ulster was
Issued with full authority of the cab
met.
The blame rests on me alone"
said SeeIey explaining to the COM
mons his resignation. In reply TO
GENERAL Cough. Seeley said he by
Mistake added two paragraphs TO the
document considered and approved by
ne cabinet meeting, which he did
lot present" He absolyed Field
MARSHAL French and General Paget OF
NJ blame.
london, March 25.-Documents made
'ublic today disclose officially the fact
hat the British government gave on
iers In Ireland a written guarantee
hat they would not use the army TO
rush listers political opposition 10
be home rule bill. The correspond
nee. however. points out that the gov
rnment retains the right 20 use the
rmy TO maintain law and order.
Orders 1eEned nv the war ONCE IN