The Henson Journals

[217]

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Monday, June 15th, 1914. Culloden, Craigavad, Co. Down.

After breakfast I wrote to Ella and to Marion.

Then we motored into Belfast, and spent the morning in going over the great ship–building works of Messrs Clark & Co. This firm divides with Harland & Wolf the greatest industry of the city: has turned out a greater tonnage than its rival for 2 years past: & employs 9000 men. Mr Clark himself went with us for some part of the way. He is a prominent figure in the fight for the Union. He asked me whether I wd care to speak with some of the men: & when I replied in the affirmative, he caused six of the more intelligent workmen to come into the office, & state their views of the situation. There certainly can be no doubt as to the feeling of the men. The question is mainly religious. Nothing will induce them to accept a supremacy of the Papists.

After lunch we motored again into Belfast, and saw the Town Hall & Municipal Buildings, which cost £300,000 & are very fine. Then I was taken to the weekly prayer–meeting, which is organized with direct reference to the crisis. I made a short speech on the special function of the church in the present circumstances. I suspect that my insistence on placableness was not to the taste of the assembly. Dr Montgomerie, the ex–Moderator of the Presbyterians, was very bellicose. He told me that [218] [symbol] even Carson would lose his influence if he were to recede from the demands of the Ulstermen.

After a visit to the club, where I was introduced to Sir George Richardson (a short cheery looking man with the suggestion of much quiet determination) and had tea, the Bishop & I went to dine with Canon [sic – space left blank]. Here mine host's sister developed a truculent advocacy of female suffrage during dinner. This, perhaps, was partly directed against her husband, a retired police inspector, who had ventured some ferocious observation as to the right treatment of militants! After dinner we went to the grounds of an adjacent house to witness the drilling of the volunteers. About 500 men were on the field; about half of them carried rifles. Here we were joined by Mr Clarke, who gave me much information. I made a brief address to the men: then "God Save the King" was sung: and the Covenant pledge was repeated with much fervour: "We will not have Home Rule"! It is said that the men generally insist on saying 'Rome Rule'! Then we went into Mr Clarke's house, which adjoined the drill ground, & had tea & some talk with the ladies of his family. Then he sent us home in his motor. We got in about 10.45 p.m.: & went forthwith to bed, having spent a busy & remarkably informing day, not soon to be forgotten.

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Issues and controversies: irish home rule; female suffrage