WAR PROBLEM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 January 1941, Page 8

WAR PROBLEM

ATTITUDE OF IRISH FREE STATE NO CHANGE APPARENT. POSSIBILITY OF INVASION. Possibility of an invasion of Ireland is by no means ruled out by Irish ieadcr.s even though the likelihood of an attempt upon Britain is generally regarded as remote for the present, wrote a staff correspondent of the “Christian Science Monitor” from London on October 31'. Eire, it is thought by some observers, might well be considered a desirable prize for the invader in search of a western base for a new threat upon Britain’s coast. Prime Minister Eamon de Valera has warned that while “we are at peace and wish everyone well, that is not sufficient to guarantee peace.” At present Eire’s security force was stated to be about 100 000 men. But the continued vulnerability of Eire has led to renewed demands for a solution of Ireland’s internal differences which at present preclude any plan for all-Ire-lanri defence. An intluential body of Irish and Anglo-Irish opinion recently addressed a memorial to Premier Winston Churchill contending that a settlement of the Irish problem was an essential contribution to Britain's war effort. The immediate fruits of that achievement. it said, would bring throughout the world a unifying and constructive impulse where Anglo Irish 1 troubles have caused doubts or regrets or censures.”

It must be admitted that the outlook for a settlement is far from promising so long as North and South persist in their present uncompromising views. Eire insisting on neutrality and Ulster stoutly defending its stand by the side of Britain in the war.

FRESH APPROACH SOUGHT. r Nevertheless, a more vigorous deter--1 mination is discernible in the efforts of those most active in the quest for an 1 end of Irish difficulties, Moreover, a fresh approach is being canvassed in some quarters in connection with the recent trend toward closer AngloAmerican co -o pe ration. ’ Could not the United States, it is 1 asked, by virtue both of its traditional ' attitude as “big brother” to an independent Ireland and of its new relations with the British Empire, help to, i unite, if only for defence, the two ir- 1 1 reconcilables—Ulster and Eire? I A suggestion that adequate naval de-i i fence for a united Ireland might be i provided by the United States without i offence either to Northern Ireland or! I to Eire was made recently in a letter to "The Times” of London from a Bel-I i fast correspondent, Mr Donald Taylor.; ! This suggestion has been supported I by General Sir Hubert Gough, one of j I the signatories of the memorial to Mrj Churchill. Sir Hubert has demanded: ian immediate re-examination of ; Anglo-Irish relations. "Ireland," he says, "occupies an important, perhaps! crucial, position for the present pur-j I pose as well as in regard to the crea-! i tion of a new world order.” i The present British Government, he | | says, is not bound by the legacy of a j I party policy which, he contends', has i | prejudiced other British administra-| ! lions in their handling of Irish affairs.: DE VALERA'S VIEW. i Premier Eamon de Valera discussed I ! the question of American naval protec-1 ■ lion for Eire in a recent interview with; this correspondent. He said he did not ! think the United States would be prepared to lake such action. But he ad-; w ealed an international guarantee of I Eire in which the United Stales would be an essentia! partner. Of immediate concern to the signa-j tories of the memorial is the existences m Ulster of the force of some 20 O(W| "B" specials, or armed special consta-1 biliary raised as a defence measure.', which will only be under military trol in the event of actual invasionconditions. These "B” specials, it is alleged, are; a force in which nobody is allowed to I have any part unless he belong to the’ Grange Party It is felt be urgently ncN-ssu!y' that lite force (>■ lild be placed, like | its English equivalent. the !b>nu-j Guard under military supervi.siun and« control. j Becausi' <»f the situation on the Ulsteri Eire lisiidfr jl is contended, clastusi may rcsuil there from the activities 'di this large body of men directed by j local civilian or police ortwials with-! .-.it regard to consideration of British i ■ .Jicy a--- tn exlermd ail.ors. NO CHANGES EVIDENT. The sigtiatories claim the U'-ce , .dentdied in the public ihom’n: vnh .he bitter sectarian and political d<f'••reiwes J tin- N.iitii of Irelami They; dsi.i s!,■>.!<• that the Ulster Cisvernmen’.. las acted une«mstitu!;onaHy since all| juestimi <■? defence or a tote i-f w;u ;■ .re the c.ineen’ f W>-tmu tv'- \ i■ A 111 ’ i? t |'j ?'! ' ?\**( * | * -1" ♦ * 5 ? ■ .nr change m lite ei'icsi! almudes ■■ G k’erth am! S u’h Ire'm.d inward !.!:(■} .ir Mr de V.d» r.» remauo ’irmly m- i-i i.d and t'M.-r - mke-rnwii m-mmue ■- ■ h” '/nbr *i''‘ ’ rvpuKHiin* ‘lhm?; 1 ihrj ■ • 1 ■■ ■ ■ ' ■ ■ - ■ • i m. ;'h tjre the i’r't ■.» : ■■ il !< ( land e.t-d nee ■ " ■< b • ■ - f : ( ri,!lSy ' . . ! As the view .if tho-r •‘.outherti ■wh who still harbour tfeep r-m- . I ?*” 1 • .' ‘ !. ■- ..1 V I'C V 3 fabh ’ A k- cXpi'VF . ( rt> .,,. r ih.-i fiimwr I rn»v<- -.■>.■! J hope England ’"" V :! T!Ui’ f! brz'i* p, n which the r.uw I ~ : < ' ■ Mr Uhu eb,.!l b. c.-mj i■■ 4 ■* ■i » t ■! i »-’ l ' "i ' '; ■- > "’■ ■'' '■ ? 11 V ’’ ■<LV . • '. i jft >