23 NOVEMBER 1918, Page 11

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

[Letters of the length of one of our leading paragraphs are often more read, and therefore more effective, than those which fill treble the space.]

THE IRISH CONTENTION AND SINN FEIN.

[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR.")

SIR,—The present condition of Ireland is no doubt mainly due to the mistakes and bungling of the Government. Mr. Chamber- lain was right when he eaid there had been no government for ten years. If 'Conscription had been enforced at the same time as in England there would have been very little trouble. Government has been busy making Sinn Feiners. After the Rebellion I heard a stole:Rile man say of the rebels: "Government has done just enough to aggravate them and not enough to cow them." Men, and it least one woman, who had committed horrible cold- blooded niurilbrii received' little or no punishment. Mr. AsqUith's sympathetic visit to the imprisoned rebels was a crime and a blunder; tile release of Sinn Feiners was of the same nature. If Government chose to appoint bad officials, who is to blame? There Is not muth Hee in punishing ignorant men for comparatively trifling offences when Bishops and priests are allowed to teach