Eire and War Criminals
The reply of the Government of Eire to the British representations against the harbouring of war criminals should not cause surprise, since it is exactly in keeping with the policy of neutrality as interpreted by Eire and practised throughout the war. That policy has never been one of genuine neutrality, for the effect of it was always to render valuable service to Germany and inflict damage on Britain. This unfriendly attitude was only possible because Mr. de Valera knew that he could count on the Allies' forbearance, and that they would not occupy his territory, as Germany would certainly have done in their place. In its acts during this war the Government of Eire has throughout been of assistance to Germany and Japan. That being so, it is not a new situation that it should insist on its right to grant asylum, and to follow only the dictates of its own conception of justice, charity and honour (whatever that may be), and claim that there is no international code applicable to the matter. It does, however, leave itself a loophole, evidently foreseeing a possible future embarrassment in the mass-migration of Nazi thugs to its hospitable soil, and cites its uniform practice in the past of denying admission to aliens whose presence, on various stated grounds, are not desirable to the Irish people. In other words, it gives no undertaking whatever. If charity demands the admission of Himmler, it will admit Himmler. What else can we expect from Mr. de Valera? Having looked tolerantly on the criminality of the Nazis for five years, why should he be less tolerant to their criminals after the war?
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