[To TR. EDITOR OP THR " SPECTATOR...1 SIR,—Desperate diseases require
desperate remedies. Mr. Asquith's speech at Leeds is a warning that the Government intend to use military force to shoot down the Ulster Covenanters carrying the Union Jack, for he says they "will not be affected by a moment's doubt as to the duty or as to the power of the State to ensure obedience to the law of the land." The letter of "A Soldier" in your issue of last week is a timely reminder that provision must be made for the support of officers and privates in the Army who decline to take part in this unholy war and are expelled from their respective corps. The leaders of the Unionist Party should now declare that in all such cases the Unionist Government on assumption of office will reinstate or otherwise suitably compensate all such officers and men out of the public revenue. Further, as such persons cannot be left destitute during the iuterval. arrangements must be made to examine into each case and to afford suitable allowances out of a fund to he raised by guarantee. There would be no difficulty in raising such BMUS as may be necessary if Unionists will give their guarantees for specific sums, on the declaration of the leaders, Mr. Boner Law and Lord Lansdowne, that the amounts expended will be refunded by the Unionist Government after their assumption of office.—I am, Sir, ac., A CITILIAN.
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