THREAT TO EIRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 June 1940, Page 5

THREAT TO EIRE

REPORTED GERMAN PLANS

INSTANT BRITISH ACTION URGED. NEED OF STRONG FORCE IN ULSTER. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright, LONDON, June 25. The “News Chronicle,” in a leader, says it is certain that German plans for the conquest of Ireland from outside and inside are perfected to the last detail. Britain should act immediately to forestall an invasion by having sufficient. troops of the right type in Northern Ireland.

“The argument that this would offend Mr De Valera has been used in connection with neutrals whose fate is already known,” says the paper. This is not the moment for squeamishness. Our troops need not enter Eire till invited, but must be ready at a convenient point to go into action at a moment's notice. The most convenient point is Ulster. “It is bad enough that Britain had to explain why German got to Norway before. It would tax ingenuity to breaking point and the patience of the people, too, if the Government had to explain why the Germans reached Ireland first.

“Political difficulties might be smoothed if Britain told Ulster that she must join in a united Ireland and make the necessary concessions to that end. Ulster has always protested her loyalty. Now is the chance to prove her patriotism.”