24 MARCH 1917, Page 3

We veritably believe that even now, if the Nationalists of

all kinds—Parliamentary Nationalists like Mr. Redmond and Mr. Dillon, Sinn Feiners and the representatives of what is still the strongest thing in Ireland, the Roman Church—wore to pledge their words that they made no claim to control North-East Ulster, and were perfectly content that she should remain outside till she wanted to come in and asked to be admitted, Ulster would be won from that hour. it is the strange and sinister fact that, in spite of the thousand-and-one arguments in favour of such an offer being made, the Nationalists refuse to make it, which alarms the men of the North-East. Just as the offer would disarm them, so its vehement refusal rightly steels their hearts and bids them to prepare to defend themselves.