The Henson Journals

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Tuesday, March 24th, 1914.

Last night's debate must damage the credit of the Government very seriously. The attempt to coerce the officers into surrendering their scruples, & the rapid backing–down before their resistance form an exhibition of feebleness immensely discreditable in itself, & bound to draw in its train a long train of mischiefs. Balfour made a powerful attack on the Ministry, & tore to shreds their explanations of the sudden crisis. It is hard not to suspect that there really has been a shameful conspiracy against the Prime Minister within his own cabinet. The speeches of Winston Churchill at Bradford, & Lloyd–George at Huddersfield, coinciding with the truculent utterances of Redmond & Devlin, and going long with these strange military happenings seem to point to an attempt to force an explosion in Ulster. Lord Roberts & the Abp. of Canterbury have been visiting the King as well as the Ministers. The effect on the Empire, & on the Continent must be disastrous.

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Issues and controversies: irish home rule