Ulster and Eire
The results in the General Election in Northern Ireland will be known soon after these lines are in print, and since their nature cannot be anticipated it would obviously be foolish to attempt comment on them. The election has one purpose only, to declare, in face of the virtual severance of Eire from the British Common- wealth, that the adhesion of Northern Ireland to the British Commonwealth is as firm and determined as ever. That the election will demonstrate that is certain, though with what precise degree of emphasis is not certain. The campaign has been relatively peaceful, as election campaigns in either part of Ireland go, though the at least semi-official attempts of the Eire Government to influence an election in territory from which that Government has finally cut itself off by its own act can be justified on no ground whatever. There is hardly a case for protest by the British Government and Mr. Attlee showed by his answers to questions on Tuesday that he had no intention of making one. Ulster appears perfectly capable of looking after itself. At the same time it is well to make it clear that the anti-partition campaign in its present form can command no sympathy in any responsible quarter in Great Britain. Partition in so small a country is to be deplored, and if union, on a federal or any other basis, could be achieved by voluntary agreement such a solution would be welcomed everywhere. But there is, for good and fairly obvious reasons, little hope of that in any near future. There is no alternative but to go on as at present. The situation in Ireland is not satisfactory, but it is less unsatisfactory than it has been at any time since 1701.
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