On Monday at a luncheon given to the delegates to
the Ulster Unionist Council Sir Edward Carson made a remark- ably powerful and moving speech. He said that, though further " conversations" about Home Rule were possible, all negotiations would be useless that did not provide for the preservation under the Imperial Parliament of the rights which their ancestors had won. The preparations of Ulster mast keep pace with diplomacy. He prayed that God would give them men. But if their homes were rendered fatherless, it would be with the old Flag flying above them. Inci- dentally Sir Edward Carson referred to words used by Mr. Chamberlain about the Ulster question a few weeks ago. "Do you know what I would do?" said Mr. Chamberlain. "I would fight it out "—a statement received with a rear of applause. In the evening there was a great demonstration in Ulster Hall, marked by extraordinary enthusiasm, when Mr. Long and Sir Edward Carson spoke. It opened with the singing of "0 God, our help in ages past," and the resolution declared that "relying on the God whom our fathers, in days of stress and trial, confidently trusted, we hereby reaffirm our determination . . . to use all means which may be found necessary to defeat the present conspiracy to set up a Home Rule Parliament in Ireland, and that we will see to it that it is never established in Ulster."
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