HC Deb 02 April 1914 vol 60 cc1371-2W
Lord CHARLES BERESFORD

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will lay upon the Table of the House General Sir Arthur Paget's reply to the letter from the Army Council dated 14th March, 1914?

Mr. McKENNA

The reply reads as follows:—

"17th March, 1911.

"Sir,—1. In reply to War Office confidential letter dated 14th March. 1914, I have the honour to inform you that in accordance with the instructions contained in that letter special precautions are now being taken to ensure the safety of Government arms and stores in this Command.

2. As regards the four places specially mentioned, it is pointed out that:—

  1. (a) Enniskillen is guarded by a company from the Infantry battalion at Londonderry.
  2. (b) Carrickfergus is guarded by a small detachment from the Infantry battalion at Holywood, and this detachment will now be increased.
  3. (c) At Armagh and Omagh steps are being taken to remove reserve arms and ammunition to Dublin and Enniskillen respectively. This will take about eight clays to do, and in the meantime the Commanding Officers are taking special precautions with the troops available at these depots to ensure their safety.

3. It would be preferable from the point of view of safety only to provide guards at once for Armagh and Omagh from the Infantry battalion at Mullingar, and to evacuate the recruits at these places; but in the present state of the country, I am of opinion that any such move of troops would create intense excitement in Ulster and possibly precipitate a crisis. For these reasons I do not consider myself justified in moving troops at the present time, although I tin keeping a sufficient number in readiness to move at short notice in case the situation should develop into a more dangerous state.

I would, however, point out that there is no Intelligence Service in this Command, and that all the reliable political information is received by me at second-hand, so that I am placed at a considerable disadvantage in attempting to judge the urgency of the situation and to foresee possible dangers in time to act.

I have the honour to be,

A. PAGET.