LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
AN ULSTER WOMAN'S LETTER TO THE "SPECTATOR."
[To ems EDITO3 OT SPZUTATOZ.1
Ste,—I am very glad to see that my letter of June 17th has done some good service and has reached distant California. I think Americans
should hesitate before they subscribe to funds for the relief of the rebels and be quite sure that the money they send is not merely for the encouragement of the same. As far as I can see or hear there Is no distress in Ireland, never has there been such a time of pros- perity, and if there are any who are really sick or ailing there is ample money in the country to meet any need ; but I can see and know of none more than is ordinary. At the time of the Rebellion, and for a few days after, there was certainly a shortage of food supplies for every citizen of Dublin, but the need was promptly mot by the military, and it was an interesting sight to see the distribution of the good things that were so promptly forthcoming. All that scarcity is now long over, and there is absolutely no need for any outside help. Can Americans really believe that Irish. Scotch, and English men can stand by and see fellow-countrymen starve ? Why, the thing Is ridiculous I I have been all round the country lately and find that the Nationalist young people in country places are dancing their legs off and buying tickets for the "National Aid Society," which they tell me is to send parcels to the Sinn Feiners in prison, just as we are all endeavouring to send parcels to our soldier prisoners in Germany. But, alas I the conditions are very different. Great Britain does not treat her prisoners in the same way that our brave soldiers are treated at Ruhleben, and any one who imagines that they do is a fool, or elm is very anxious to believe it.
What about the poor English soldiers who were landed in Ireland to meet their death from the hands of so-called " fellow-countrymen " What about the poor ambushed and unarmed police ? What about the faithful "Veterans' Corps's out on a route march unarmed, men who were drilling to defend Ireland from the Germans, and who were shot down by Irishmen ? No I Americans would be well advised to send their help elsewhere—to the prisoners of war of all countries, preferably to the poor Serbians, Poles, and Montenegrins ; the Irish are rolling in money and are having the time of their lives. There Is no conscription for Ireland, and the young men spend their time in attending these dances and in walking out with pretty girls. I saw thousands of men of military age at a favourite watering-place wearing the rebels' badge, and the " cruel " British Government taking no notice of them. When the American money mounts up to a respect.. able BUM they-will probably have the diversion of another conflagration. I trust our Englishwomen in San J086 will advise Americans to waste no sympathy upon them.—I am, Sir, deo., 44 ULSTERWOMAN."
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