19 APRIL 1986, Page 23

Fighting Micks

Sir: Please reassure us that Andrew Alex- ander's article on Ulster ('How Ulster could ruin Britain', 29 March) was a spoof — such utter drivel can't be serious. 11n] a war between North and South . . . the initial battles would end in defeat for the South.' Republicans outnumber loyalists four to one in Ireland and the Irish are not called 'the Fighting Micks' for nothing the loyalists are far more likely to find the Irish in Belfast than themselves in Dublin, Alexander's abuse notwithstanding.

Those of us with personal knowledge of Ulster are painfully aware that it was the brainless bigotry of Ulstermen that rekin- dled a moribund IRA in the late Sixties. The Spectator's recent obsession with attacking diplomatic efforts to drag these oafs into a more intelligent relationship with Eire demeans an otherwise thoughtful journal.

Peter Owen

16 Greys Close, Colden Common, Winchester