Sir Edward Carson returned to Belfast on Friday week and
received an uproarious welcome. He attended a meeting of the Ulster Provisional Government. The meeting was private, but a declaration was afterwards issued. The declaration stated that while the Provisional Government were as resolute as ever in their opposition to Home Rule, they were willing to consider any proposals "which would recognise our loyalty to the Crown and Constitution, and at the same time preserve our inalienable rights under the Imperial Parliament." They regretted the absence of any honest attempt on the part of the Government to reach a settlement. Their " well-grounded want of confidence" in the Government compelled them to press on with their preparations. The Executive of the Pro- visional Government had accordingly been instructed to act in the spirit of the declaration. Civil and religious freedom would be guaranteed by the Provisional Government. Meanwhile it was as necessary as ever for Ulster loyalists to exercise restraint. As the Times special correspondent says, " the position now is that the Provisional Government can take any action that may be necessary without further authorization."
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