28 SEPTEMBER 1918, Page 3

An Irish correspondent writes to us that a Roman Catholic

priest in the South of Ireland announced lately that he had enrolled " five hundred men of military age who had sworn not to enlist and fight for England." The priest added that such an oath was being generally taken throughout the South and West. Another curious Roman Catholic movement in Ireland is said to be that of " pilgrim- ages for prayer against the men who enlist." We have heard of nothing like this since we first read in A Tale of Two Cities of Mr. Cruncher's objections to being " prayed against." It will be remembered that Mr. Cruncher when in bed observed his wife upon her knees in a corner of the room and threw a boot at her. `` What do you mean by flopping yourself down and praying agin me ? " exclaims Mr. Cruncher. Mrs. Cruncher accordingly explains that she is praying for him. " Whether or no," retorts Mr. Cruncher, " I won't be prayed agin, I tell you. I can't afford it. . . . If you must go flopping yourself dowr., flop in favour of your husband and child and not in opposition to 'em."