MR. COLLINS'S DEATH AND THE STATE OF IRELAND. [To THE
EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR"]
SIR,—AS a constant reader of the Spectator I have always greatly appreciated the independent—and, may I say, sane?— attitude which you have consistently taken with regard to affairs in Ireland. and especially your unwavering support of the loyal Northern Province. Your article, however, in your current number on " Mr. Collins's Death and the State of Ireland " contains a suggestion of which I cannot approve. You anticipate that the killing of Michael Collins will result in those who are left of the " Provisional Government " coming to terms with the "Irregulars," which would mean " the triumph of Mr. De Valera and so the triumph of the policy of Republican Independence," and you ask, assuming this, " What is to be our line of action? " Your answer to the question is that the Government " had better give South Ireland that independence which she will certainly take sooner or later." But would nott this be the carrying on of the immoral and fatal policy of Mr. Lloyd George one step further?
He rewarded the successful campaign of murder organized and carried on by Mr. Collins by handing over to him and his associates three-fourths of Ireland. Acting on the above sugges- tion, the Government would apparently reward Mr. De Valera for his campaign of brigandage, culminating in the successful killing of his rival, Mr. Collins, by giving him the Republic he desires. Would not this be to endorse still further the pernicious principle that a course of crime and violence persistently and remorselessly carried out is the one sure way,
to obtain political ends?—I am, Sir, &c., IRISH LOYALIST., August 26th.
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