IRELAND AND COMPULSORY SERVICE.
(To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
a rather heated discussion with a West of Ireland man, he stated that the South and West had sent their full proportion of eligible men to the colours; that owing to the past oppression of this country the eldest eon alone could remain on the land, the other sons having to seek their livelihood in the Colonies and the United States; and that two per cent. from Ireland (no refer- ence being made to the North having furnished perhaps four- fifths of this two per cent.) was equivalent to six per cent. from England, Scotland, and Wales. Without facts I could only reply
that if his figures be true, it was a pity Mr. Redmond did not make them public. On the six per cent, basis there would appear to be at least a further three hundred thousand men of military age available in Ireland; but no matter what the number may be, they should take their share of the burden even more than should the Colonies. So long as the worse than neutral attitude adopted by the South and West of Ireland continues, we have no right to refer to the neutrality of the United States.—I am, Sir, &c.,
L. H.
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