" THE CURSE OF IRELAND."
[To THE EDITOR . Or THE " SPECTATOR."] Sias—While waiting for the Primo Minister's statement, it may possibly be interesting to recall his " considered judgment " on the Irish Question, delivered by him at an earlier period of the controversy :- " The Prime Minister (Mr. Lloyd George): Let us get at the facts in the North-Eastern portion of Ireland. You have a population as alien in blood, in religious faith, in traditions, in outlook, as alien from the rest of Ireland in this respect as the inhabitants of Fife or Aberdeen. It is no use mincing words. Let us have a clear understanding. To place them under National Rule against their will would be as glaring an outrage on the principles of liberty and self-government as the denial of self-government would be to the rest of Ireland. . . . I say in all solemnity that if an attempt were made to force Ulster in, in a settlement of Ireland, it would be the curse of Ireland.—Houso of Commons, March .7th, 1917 (` Official Report '), Vol 91, No. 18, cols. 457-463)."
Previous page
