THE EXCLUSION OF ULSTER.
[To TER EDITOR or TER "SPECTATOR."] Sra,—I am strongly of opinion that the exclusion for an indefinite period of the entire province of Ulster is the soundest solution of the Irish question in the circumstances. In the present temper of Ulster it is doubtful if she will accept anything less, nor will a more limited county exclusion be a whit more agreeable to the Nationalists. From the Nationalist point of view, a total rather than a limited exclusion should commend itself, in so far as it will strengthen an already strong Nationalist minority in Ulster, and hasten the day when a union of all Ireland will be possible—a result which the Nationalists have it in their power to bring about easily, if their professions of fair play and eagerness for progress and good government harden into facts. I cannot help •thinking, too, that the hope of winning Ulster will be with the Nationalists the best guarantee to us Southern Unionists for our future good treatment. In any ease, we are powerless, and as far as political influence is con- cerned we are already a negligible quantity, save in the city of • Cork and South County Dublin, although we possess perhaps nearly half the wealth, pay nearly half the taxes, and number at least a quarter of a million. Meanwhile gun-running goes on merrily in the South. It is well known that cargoes of rifles have been landed at Kinsale in a fog last week under• the very nose of a destroyer, and also at Killany Bay and other places. Twelve months more of this hopeless and criminal Government means the utter ruin of Ireland. And will England be unaffected P—I am, Sir, &c.,
SOUTHERN UNIONIST.
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