THE GENTLE ART OF PROPAGANDA

Southland Times, Issue 18843, 8 June 1920, Page 4

THE GENTLE ART OF PROPAGANDA

“Iona” in another column has given us an interesting survey of a portion of Irish history, continuing with evident enjoyment his pleasant pastime of knocking to pieces the assertions put forward for target practice by Mr George Creel, of the United States. His letter is of considerable interest but the greater part of it goes no further than to confirm our assertion that the Irishman of to-day persists with inexcusable vehemence to revive the past. What deeds of valour Hugh of Tyrone and Hugh of Tyrconncll performed in the seventeenth century aud what Pitt did in the late eighteenth will not help us to solve the problem of the twentieth if we let the absorbing study of the past blinds us to the more practical things of the present. Whether or not the Orange Society or any other organisation is responsible for the present misunderstanding and bitterness the fact remains that in 1920 Ireland is divided into two sections, and the Home Rule prospect which “Inna” regards as “dear! and buried” is now appearing in the form of instalments. The list of advocates of “independence” for Ireland were, we think, keener for Home Rule, but in any case “Iona” knows that an Independent Republic in Ireland is unthinkable, and on that point our correspondent will not find only Tories against him. The warmth that he lias worked up over the ancient wrongs has led him in the conchiding passage of his letter to express opinions which arc frankly nonsense. The trade between Ireland and England enriches one as much as the other. Ireland’s natural market lies across, the Irish Sea and

as the British farmers cannot hope to supply all the requirements of their home markets as now they see Denmark shipping large quantities of produce to the English consumer; why should they object to Irish produce? If Ireland Ls a “milch cow” for England, the Irish arc getting good prices for milk. We do not think that “Iona” need have any apprehension regarding the economic basis of Britain's disinclination to give Ireland her independence. It is on political grounds that she founds her objections and our American cousins who fill the Congressional Record with millions of words will realise the sweet reasonableness of our altitude if they, taking a leaf out of “lona’s” book, go back to history and review the causes of the Civil War.