SOUTHERN IRISH LOYALISTS DEFENCE FUND. (To THE EDITOR or THE
" SPECTATOR.")
Sia,—In April of last year the Southern Irish Loyalists Defence Fund was created to afford assistance and relief to law-abiding citizens in the South and West of Ireland who might be in diffi- culty or distress owing to the present condition of that country. On account of the general terrorism and the postal insecurity, great difficulty was experienced in getting into touch with these poor persons. But six months' experience, very melancholy and saddening, has conclusively proved how necessary such a fund was, and how essential it is that it should be kept in existence. It is impossible within the limits of a letter to indicate even faintly the condition under which well-disposed citizens are existing in Southern and Western Ireland to-day. Terrorized into trembling silence, they have to endure hard- ship and privation and go in fear of their lives. No class is immune. The well-to-do and the poor, Protestant and Catholic, Nationalist and Unionist—all who refuse to bow the knee to revolutionaries—are in trouble, and we have helped them to the best of our power, irrespective of creed and party.
But further funds are urgently needed. The resources obtained in response to the one appeal which we made last year, generous as they were, are running low. We are there- fore obliged to appeal for more money in order that we may continue our work. We venture to think that it is deserving of support from every point of view. We have brought ex-soldiers and policemen out of hostile surroundings, we have helped men to get a start when employment was denied them, we have done something to support those deprived by murder of their bread-winner, we have enabled men to hold out against the forces of disorder, we have brought some little comfort to the starving and distressed, and the knowledge that this fund exists has given hope and courage to the depressed and wavering.
These are not unimportant results, and it would be lament- able were they to be rendered nugatory for want of funds. We therefore earnestly appeal to the public for further assistance for their kith and kin in Ireland who are suffering for their loyalty to the Empire.
Contributions may be sent to the Hon. Treasurer, the Marquess of Salisbury, at the offices of the fund.—I am, Sir, &c., 25 Victoria Street, S.W. 1.
RICHARD DAWBERN
(Act4ng General Secretary.) [We are glad to publish Mr. Dawbern's letter, and hope very sincerely that he may get the subscriptions he desires. We are, unfortunately, unable to give the Report on Relief which has been sent to us. We can only say that it shows not only what good work is being done, but how terrible is the need for help. In our opinion, the cases cited should not have been dealt with by private charity, but by the Government, and the money required to save the unfortunate victims of Irish anarchy should have been charged, not to their brother loyalists, but to the disloyal part of the community. That could have been done, and could even be done now if the Government would only realize that with Irishmen to threaten their property is much more efficacious than to threaten their lives. But, of course, to do this effectively, as we have so often said in the Spectator and say again to-day, it is necessary to separate the sheep from the goats, and to make those who are on our side declare themselves and give proof of their loyalty. We will quote quite at random a few of the cases taken up by the Fund in order to show how monstrous is the suggestion that the misery and degradation of Ireland are due to reprisals carried out by the armed forces of the British Governmenf. The ordinary Englishman is inclined to believe that burnings occur in Ireland only as the work of an undisciplined soldiery. If he were to turn over these cases he would soon learn a very different story.—ED. Spectator.] Case 37.—Widow of a military doctor. Two houses in Cork belonging to liar were burned by Sinn Feiners, by which her income was seriously reduced, and she found herself em- barrassed, pending compensation, which she will not receive for some considerable time.
Case 38.—Ex-Constable R.I.C... with high certificate q,f character. He left the force in 1912, with a pension of £42 a year. On outbreak of var he was among the first to offer his services. Worked in recruiting office, and later as special constable. Having been largely instrumental in bringing about an important arrest, he was denounced as a spy, and when forced by bad health to resign was unable to get work. He Caine to London to seek work and employment was found for him.
Case 42.—A schoolmistress, keeping a school which was attended by some children of policemen. One of her brothers is an invalid, the other served in the war and suffers from shell-shock, and has been unable to get employment. Her house was raided by Sinn Feiners, who attempted to make her brothers swear allegiance to the Republic. They refused. The sister was dragged from her bed and her hair was cut off. She has since been boycotted and cannot sell her house in order to move elsewhere. In addition to financial help, a brother's case for pension was taken up. By request of the Ministry of Pensions the necessary forms were sent him for signature.
Case 47.—An ex-policeman, pension £45, lives in a small farm of five acres or so with his wife and children. In the first , place he wrote to invoke the help of the fund in placing the position of ex-policemen not entitled to the increased scale of pensions before the Government.
Case 48.—An ex-soldier with a wife and seven children. His house was attacked. Shots were fired into it, one of which cut in two the candle he was carrying. As he remained motionless and silent the assailants retired, apparently think- ing he was dead. He cannot obtain work, but has a disability pension.
Case 51.—A man of great energy and respectability, who carried on important and dangerous duties in the West of Ireland with much energy. In 1920 he was attacked by Sinn Feinere and badly wounded after a fine resistance in which he shot two of his assailants. As a result he had to leave the district in which he had worked faithfully for over thirty years.
Case 52.—An ex-constable R.I.C., pension 442. He has nine children, and owing to his- former service cannot get work. During the war he served three years as a coast watcher and in other capacities. He bears a good character.
Previous page
