25 MAY 1918, Page 2

The Irish papers have published a letter from the Rev.

Peter Finlay, Professor of Roman Catholic Theology in the National University of Ireland, which deserves particular attention. The letter embodies the claim, now openly put forward by the Hierarchy, that they are entitled to decide whether an ,Act constitutionally passed by the Imperial Government is political, and therefore binding, or is merely one ports ining to the domain of faith and morals, and therefore only binding men to conscience. Mr. Finlay, as might be expected, argues that Conscription relates solely to.faith and morals. He contends that it is, in the language of the Hierarchy, an " oppressive and inhuman law," and is therefore in no sense binding on men who think it their duty to resist it