Ulster loyalty
Sir: The Spectator (July 7) accuses Ulstermen of disloyalty because of their readiness to act outside the law in 1914 and again today. There has indeed been much heartsearching in Ulster on this very point. The early Stuarts certainly would have wanted unquestioning loyalty to the CroWn. In a constitutional monarchy, however, the Crown is not entitled to obedience if it acts in breach of the constitution. No state can cancel an entrenched clause in its constitution and expect obedience from those whose rights it abrogates, not even in a 'bananacolony,' The right of people to retain their nationality and not to be joined to another country against their will is fundamental. If Parliament itself threatens this right, or acquiesces in such threats, you should not confuse the disobedience of the people affected with disloyalty. Further you ought not to take this disobedience as justification for a corrupt and tyrannigal policy such as you
advocate for Ulster. ,
Critics of Ulster concentrate on one aspect only of loyalty. The 'other side of the coin has a more disturbing impress. The state has its obligations too. One of these is to protect its citizens from attack in their lawful occasions. This Westminster has failed to do since assuming , de facto responsibility fdr security in August 1969 and despite supposedly copper-bottomed undertakings given to the Ulster government at that time.' Indeed Westminster insisted on the disbandment and nedtralisation of those very forces which brought peace to Northern Ireland in 1922 and 1923 when the whole island was in flames. Who has been disloyal and to whom?
One thing at least is certain. Ulstermen canno longer be blamed for refusing to accept Mr Whitelaw's integrity when, despite the most solemn assurances, re sponsible organs of opinion inform. them that the Government intends to work towards a,. United Ireland when it can get the timing right. If this were the situation would .resistance to such a government be disloyal? Any 'more, indeed, than the Yugoslav people were disloyal ty Prince Paul's* pro-German reg 30 High Oakes Road, Welwyn Garden City, Herts
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