The greatest relief will everywhere be felt that Mr. Churchill's
Belfast meeting is safely over. Thanks to the appeals for order made ultimately by both the parties, to the presence in the city of over 4,000 troops, and not least to Thursday's depressing weather, the day passed off without any serious disturbance. Mr. Churchill landed at Larne early in the morning, and both then and on his arrival in Belfast he was received with hostile demonstrations from large crowds of Ulster Unionists. The most serious moments of the day were when Mr. Churchill entered his motor car at the hotel, and during his drive to the meeting through the centre of the town. Everything was changed, however, as soon as the Nationalist quarter was reached, and, with a transition that was striking in its suddenness, his reception changed from bitter hostility to passionate enthusiasm. The meeting itself was also enthusiastic, in spite of the dismal condition of the football ground and the great tent in which it was held. Immediately after the meeting Mr. Churchill, following the advice of the police, made his way by back streets to the station and at once left Belfast in a special train. No one will grudge Mr. Churchill the recognition of the courage which he displayed ; but it is difficult not to question whether the circumstances really justified the great risks and also, we may add, the great public expense which the speech has entailed.
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