15 MARCH 1902, Page 3

It was officially announced on Wednesday that the King, acting

on the advice of his Ministers, had "expressed his regret to the Lord-Lieutenant that the visit of their Majesties to Ireland cannot take place this year." This decision will doubtless relieve a large number of officials from the anxiety inseparably attached to all Royal progresses ; but, on the other hand, the King's regret will be shared, we feel sure, by a. great majority of Irishmen. What is more, we cannot help fearing that the abandonment of the visit will be claimed as a triumph for the forces of disaffection and disloyalty which manifested themselves on Monday night, and bestow on these forces an importance and significance entirely out of all proportion to their real strength.