14 JUNE 1913, Page 3

Canon Hannay, better known as " George A. Birmingham," the

Irish novelist, is " one of those who believe that Ireland should be, and must soon be, allowed to manage her own affairs." Hence the value of his admission of the reality of "the Ulster risk" stated in his article in Thursday's Daily Mail. Canon Hannay's conclusions may be thus summarized. He has no doubt that the Belfast working man will risk his skin : he is inclined to think that the County Antrim farmer might risk not only his skin but his land and homestead. As for the Belfast business man, it is difficult to credit him with any such mad idea unless you happen to know him. Canon Hannay ends with the pointed question, "Is the risk worth taking, from the point of view of the English people ?"