The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-03-22
IRELAND READY
TO FIGHT NOW
Continued from page L.


war, the drilling with roughly fash
martial spirit. but on neither side is
there a real desire to shoot ones own
people.
1t is estimated that there are be-
tween 10000 and $4,000 men in Ulster
who would actually answer q call to
arms About $4,000 would fight. Only
about half of the total number of
men who would fight fog Ulster would
be able to procure arms. the cores
|pondent reported to the United Press.
and added to this handicap would be
Ia shortage of ammunition.
England could, in a reasonably
short time. despatch an army which
would cver-run Ulster. The scatter
ed bands OF unionists VINO might re-
fuse to submit, could probably carry
on campaign harrassing the army OF
Occupation at times with sporadic at
lacks but real concerted opposition
may hardly be considered as likely.
There is no denying the unrest
troops with the occupation of Ulster
imminent. The war cfnce
has served notice that officers must
choose between resigning their COM
missions or being prepared to fight
Ulster IL necessary. 1t was reported
during the day, that two companies of
the Dorsetshire regiment at Belfast.
mutinied, but the report was uncon-
firmed and discredited.
The of7co fcc,,nd an official
statement this afternoon declaring
that the movement Of troops in Ulster
are purely precautionary with the
object OF giving adequate protection
ita depots OF arms and ammunition and
other government property against
possible risks"
There has not been and is not
now, any intention to move TROOPS
into Ulster, except for these and like
purposes. the statement concludes.
In addition to the conferences with
his ministers, King George today re
ceived Arthur ]. Balfour. former
lunionist premier, and Lord Roberts in
audience Field Marshal Roberts
later conferred with War Secretary
Seely.
Asquith May Resign.
LONDON, March 21.-That the As
auith government, rather than face
open war in Ireland may resign be-
fore home rule IS enacted, Is the giss
OF an article published today in Rey-
nolds' newspaper which usually has
the bsst inside government informa.
! ton. The article says 1t is probable
that Premier Asquith will shortly offe>
to dissolve parliament after the pass
age of home rule, the Welsh church
dis establishment and plural voting;
bills. This is taken by observers to
be ''feeler' for public sentiment and
is regarded as most significant
climbing down by the government
from its former unbending attitude on
the threatened Ulster revolt.
Refused to Fight Ulster.
DUBLIN, March 22.-(Sunday.)-
Brigadier General Cough, command
ing the third brigade, resigned his
command rather than fight Ulster, it
was reported early today from re-
liable source. His resignation was
followed by the voluntary retirement
OF mum srous subordinates.
General Cough was summoned be-
fore General Paget. commanding the
British troops In ireland.
II will give you just two hours to
decide whether You will servs in
| Ulster" was Paget's ultimatum.
| General Cough resigned on the
spot, 1t is said.
Additional orders for the movement
continued to be issued during the
night. Further attachments left the
curragh early Sunday and $50 royal
engineers equipped with trenchins
and pontocn apparatus left here for
Belfast. Three hundred men were or
] dered aboard warships during the