We are anxious not to do anything or say anything
which may prejudice even in the slightest degree the peace negotiations now going forward. It is true that we have no liking for the Government's policy, and believe that the union is the best way of regulating the relations between the two islands. The Cabinet, however, by the extraordinary weakness and folly of their treatment of Ireland ever since they took the fatal step of not enforcing compulsory military service In Ireland, have made the situation so crazy and so dangerous that they must now be allowed, less worse things befall us, to try a scheme which they may almost be said to have made inevitable. But while we must refuse to snatch at the reins while the driver is attempting to get round a dangerous corner with a precipice on one side and a wall of rock on the other, we are bound to tell Mr. De Valera that he is not making it easier for what we presume he wants to come about by beginning negotia- tions with such words as those just quoted. We all know the acts of "the last couple of years" in Ireland of which he boasts— acts which he declares will achieve Ireland's freedom. The record of these acts is written in blood across half the face of the island. They are deeds of which we should have thought that even the most ruthless and remorseless of men would have spoken with horror and regret. It seems otherwise with the chief of Sirm Fein.
