The total want of " the sympathy of comprehension "
shown by the Liberal Home Rule Press in regard to North-East. Ulster is well illustrated by a paragraph headed " Colonials and Ireland " to be found in Wednesday's Westminster Gazette :- " I fanny, in the light of later information, that the confident antici- pation expressed in this column as to the willingness of the Dominion statesmen to take a part in an attempted settlement of the Irish question will prove too sanguine. Colonial Ministers are not eager to play a part in so ticklish a matter, remembering that all Irishmen in the Colonies are not of one shade of faith or opinion."
When it is a case of British opinion, the people of North-East Ulster are held up to reprobation on account of their cold-blooded refusal to come to an agreement with their fellow-Irishmen. When, however, it is suggested that the Dominion Premiers should bell the Ulster cat, the chief Liberal organ suddenly remembers that " all Irishmen in the Colonies are not of one shade of faith or opinion." How long will it take the Westminster Gazette to remember that even in Ireland all Irishmen " are not of one shade of faith or opinion," and apply this fact to the Irish problem ? In the West= minter's naive little note is to be found the case not only for North. East Ulster but for the Act of Union. Any one could solve the Irish problem if it were not for these same shades of faith or opinion. It is because they exist, not because the British people are tyrants, or undemocratic, or what not, that there is trouble in Ireland—' as is very well known to the statesmen of the Dominions.'
Previous page
