Mr. de Valera and Ulster The turn of events in
the Irish Free State, both during the election and since, shows that Mr. de Valera is thinking more about the partition of Ireland and its removal than about a Republic. His present position is that he will not come to a permanent understanding with Great Britain except on the basis of the absorption of the six Northern counties in a united Ireland. It is a very serious mistake for him to suppose that it is for this country to take the first step which would induce Ulster to merge herself with the Free State. England has had enough of interfering with the internal affairs of Ireland, North or South. In these days it would be no more thinkable for us to coerce Ulster into joining the Free State than it would be to coerce Mr. de Valera in regard to his domestic Policy. The unity of all Ireland in one constitutional and economic organism is in itself a natural and desirable end. But to bring it about the first step is to convert Ulster. Provocative action such as the suggested invita- tion to the eleven Northern Nationalist members of Parliament to sit in Dail Eireann would not be a hopeful beginning. * * * *
Previous page
