INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THE POPE'S " SRISIERY.”
Belfast, Hay 9, 1880.
Bra—It is stated—with what truth I do not yet know—that a thousand Irishmen have gone to Ancona in order to enter the Pope's army. Ireland is, no doubt, well rid of them, and I hope Garibaldi may yet give a good ac- count of them. But I wish to call your attention to the disgracefully ano- malous state of our law, which regards these men now as being still British subjects. It ought to be a part of our law, and indeed of international law, that anyone entering the military service of a foreign state, should forfeit thereby his natural allegiance. We never think of removing an anomaly
in our legislation until it has become an inconvenience ; and, consequently the change is sometimes made, when it is made, under singularly undigni- fied circumstances. Thus in 1848, it was found necessary to remove an anomaly in the law of treason and sedition, for the purpose of transporting John Mitchell ; and in 1861, it may very probably be found necessary to remodel our law respecting foreign enlistment for the purpose of outlawing a lot of Irish adventurers in the Papal service.
Respectfully yours, J. J. M.
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