THE STATE' OF IRELAND. '
[TO TEE EDIT011 OP TEE " SPPCTATORn
Sin,—A debt of gratitude is due to you from all law-abiding people in Ireland—whether Unionist or Nationalist—for the attitude you have adopted with regard to- that country. No one can fairly accuse you of a desire to "rush " the Govern ment into repressive measures, and therefore the conclusion you have arrived at should have all the greater weight.' Those of us who live in the midst of cattle-raiding, and in districts where boycotting and intimidation are rampant, are in amaze- ment at the position taken up bylfr. Birrell, allinister in a Liberal Government, and one, therefore; Whnshonld make it his boast that the liberty of the subject, especially in the case of the humbler Members of society, should not be infringed upon by the cruel system which now obtains. Without fear of contradiction, I assert that, by the vast bulk of the people, including even Members of Parliament who seem to be in favour of cattle-raiding and other illegalities, the stringent enforcement of the law would be hailed with delight. It.vionld give many an excuse to escape from an imposSible position. The Roman Catholic Church at long last appears to be realiabig that there is danger in the air. Socialismas siich-can as yet scarcely be said to exist in Ireland, but is it not manifest that unless the law of the land asserts itself, the germs of a widespread propaganda of Socialism will be foitered and-Willtourish in Ireland, to the demoralisation -of the country and the eventual ruin of the Church of Rome ? There is far too great an inclination amongst English people to believe that almost all of Ireland is sunk in a state of poverty, misery, and disease. Mr. Redmond has tried to persoide us that the paupers have greatly increased ; is he not' aware that two out of every 'three of the workhouses in It-eland will probably soon be closed because there are no inmates for' them ? Surely, Sir, the problem of how to alleviate the oolitic and misery in the East End of London is -a far more urgent one than anything of its kind in Ireland. As an Irish Unionist, I would beg of you to do all that-is pos- sible sible- to 'expose. the Mk* sham which is now being. enacted in Ireland, and by your powerful advocacy do something to restore parts of that distracted country to a condition of security
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