24 JUNE 1916, Page 11

GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."' Sin,—Could you not follow up your article on Mr. Redmond's manifesto with another giving in more detail the facts and figures of the British administration and the British subsidies to Ireland for the past ten years or so ? Surely we can state what we have done for this country without undue " bucking " I I am a Scotswoman who has lived in the South-West of Ireland for the past twenty-one years, and can testify to the marvellous improvement in the prosperity of the country during that time. But I cannot remember ever having seen or heard any acknowledgment by the Nationalist Press or Members for England's share in the work. On the contrary, a constant stream of misrepre- fentation and abuse is poured forth, or, at best, it is stated that England is only paying her "debt to Ireland." The British trait of belittling their own achievements has been, I feel sure, a great mistake in Ireland, as I am convinced the people do not in the least realize what they really owe to British statesmen and British taxpayers. How should they when they are never told the truth ? . I do not know if you will think my letter worth publishing, but I have written it because I feel very keenly that we should speak out and let the facts be known, and so try and stem this stream of misrepresentation, and oftentimes abuse, that is constantly flooding Ireland and raising illwill and hatred

throughout the country.—I am, Sir, &c., SCOTSWOMAN.