The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-04

a word in the house. The Irishmen
are letting the English fight it out
alone.
Premier Asquith. Viscount Morley,
Col. Seely and Gen. French and Gen.
Ewart all visited the king during the
day.
The debate today i'm commons fol-
lowing Premier Asquith's withdrawal
was tame. Frederick f. Smith (Union-
ist), for the Walton division of Liver
pool, renewed his accusations that
the government had hatched a con-
spiracy against Ulster. 1T was
Napoleonic. but there was no Ma
poleon," he said.
Winston Spencer Churchill, first
lord OK the admiralty, said that the
plotting had all been done by the
opposition. who tried to seducc the
army. He quoted from the Unionist
leaders speeches in which they ad-
vised the army to refuse to serve
against Ulster.
In the house Of lords the Earl of
Selborne spoke with warmth sell
dom heard in that house. He termed
Mr.. Churchill's charges foul false
hoods"
Field Marshal Lord Roberts ap-
pealed TO the country to dismiss the
idle but dangerous and mischievOus
assertions that the army was impli-
Gated in a political conspiracy and the
ridiculous fallacy that the officers
are a wealthy and privileged class.
The governments ultimatum, he said,
was like springing a mine on the
army. He wished to nail to the coun-
ter the lie that any officer had disobey-
ed orders.
Viscount Haldane rejoiced that the
lords were beginning to realize the
seriousness Of the situation raised by
the Issue of the army versus the peo-
pie"
"Col. Seely's resignation has been
accepted" This was the euphemistic
expression employed b. Premier AS
quith In announcing to the house OF
commons today that his war secre-
tary had paid the penalty OF his in
discretions in adding to n cabinet
document the two paragraphs which
have aroused such feeling as to
threaten the existence OF the entire
cabinet.
The first information received by
members OF parliament that Col.
Seely had definitely retired from the
cabinet was when he entered the
house and took seat OH the back
benches instead Of among his late coll
leagues.
The paragraphs which caused the
crisis were contained in memo
randum written to Brig. Gen. Hubert
Cough and contained the following {:
Tho government must retain it's
right to use all the forces Of the
crown in ireland or elsewhere to
maintain order and support the civil
power in the ordinary execution of
their duty. but it has no intention
whatever OF taking advantage OF this
right I'm order to crush political op-
position to the policy or the principles
OF the home rule bill"
The later reputation Of these guar
antees by the cabinet was taken as a
rebuff and Field Marshal Sir John
French, virtual commander-in-c chi ief
OF the army. and by Sir John Ewart,
adjutant general to the forces. The
two generals Immediately resigned
and all efforts made by the king, the
premier and the other ministers failed
to induce them to change their minds
Their designations were made definite
today.
Premier Asquith's further an
nouncement that he himself would
take up the portfolio Of secretary for
war came in the nature Of a surprise.
Having announced his intention to
take up the office he declared he
would retire from the house OF COM
mons i'm accordance with the law un-
til lit pleases my constituents to sane
tion my return"
The premier then dramatically
walked out OF the chamber amid fran
tic cheers from the Liberals, the Ma
tionalists and the Labor members.
the whole body of whom rose TO their
feet and waved handkerchiefs and
papers.
When Premier Asquith entered the
house today he was greeted with IL
great ovation from the members Of
the ministerial side. He shortly af-
terward rose before the crowded
Chambp A main hi. ,rnniool O..