If Eire is Invaded
In an interview published in the Christian Science Monitor Mr. de Valera is reported to have said that the geographical position of Eire presents considerable difficulties for an invasion by any long sea route, and that any such attempt can be made very costly. He did not explain by whose efforts it would be made costly. The length of the sea route makes the invader's task dangerous simply because it exposes him to sea and air attack before he gets to Eire ; and the only forces which can attack him by sea or air en route are British forces. Mr. de Valera, then, admits that he relies on the British Fleet and the British Air Force to deal with the invading Germans before they get to Eire. None the less, he clings to the formula of neutrality—not, be it noted, non-belligerency. There are to be no staff talks, no arrangements for co-operation in the event of the attack coming. The Germans may be stopped on the sea by the British on their way to Eire ; they may be bombed from the air by the R.A.F. before they get to her coast ; but there are to be no plans for assistance on Eire's soil until the enemy is already there. Then British help will be undisguisedly welcomed. That was the attitude adopted by Belgium, with results of which Mr. de Valera is cognisant.
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