I SEE THAT THE FIRST of the Irish Brigade to
inspect the Casement Diaries promptly put in an interim report to the effect that he believes them to be forgeries; but as he had only examined the early Congo diaries, which are innocuous enough, the opinion hardly carries much weight. In any case, the important thing is that the diaries can now be seen, and people can judge for themselves; and so far from em- bittering Anglo-lrish relations (the excuse always given for refusing access to them), their appear- ance has removed one of the last Irish sources of grievance against this country. Another of them—the continued imprisonment in London of • the Lane collection, which Lane willed to Ireland but which was kept here on a legal technicality —is overdue for removal. About a year ago I heard negotiations were far advanced to share out the Lane pictures so that some of them could be seen in Dublin, even if the collection was not returned there permanently—a sensible com- promise, especially as in London many of them cannot be seen at all. On inquiry this week I was again assured that negotiations are 'far' advanced.' These things take time: but I trust that it will not be many weeks before the Irish can see the pictures hung in the Charlemont House gallery which has been awaiting their arrival for so long.
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