The Times FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1944. The Price of Character

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 57, 10 March 1944, Page 4

The Times FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1944. The Price of Character

A recent cable message from New York dealt informatively with the relations between the Allies and Ireland. Told of were the tightening of restrictions on communications and travel between Britain and Ireland which were becoming more evident as the invasion date approaches. This was because the German itid Japanese Governments still maintain legations in Dublin which :re presumably allowed the diplomatic privileges of communicaions with their home capitals. It was stated that Japanese and i'erman Ministers and their staffs drive freely round Dublin. Not raly do they possess this freedom of movement but their cars use American petrol and their embassies a're heated by British coal this and other illogical or ironic circumstances naturally led to comment particularly from Americans. Yet it was declared that Eire, Ihe modern name for old Ireland, ~iw nothing illogical or ironic in the situation. The country was determined to remain neutral. It has been clearly understood that Irishmen would even have fought their fellow peoples of the British Isles, if necessary, to maintain that neutrality. Now Irishmen declare that for Ireland to jump on the United Nations’ band wagon when victory is s.ure would he an admission of moral guilt. That is quite ■'understandable. Less understandable is the part played by the Government of Dc Valera right through this war. Officially Ireland is neutral but surely the people there must have felt their sympathies drawn to the Allied cause. A supremely important feature of the whole situation as regards Ireland and the Allies is that here is an example of the price that has at times to be paid by good character. Had the Nazis been in the place of the British Government, bow long would they have allowed Ireland to remain neutral and free ? Unquestionably Britain has suffered in a material sense by the policy which Ireland has followed—by the espionage conducted from Ireland and the loss of bases on the South Irish coast necessary to combat submarines. Yet, on the other hand, Britain has gained enormously in moral prestige. The Old Country has shown the sterling worth of its character and has set an example to the world in the treatment of a small nation by the policy it has followed towards Ireland through the grim days of this war. // T< I I r < t ■ mm