General O'Duffy's Irish Policy Sentimentally, it is probable that a
majority of Irishmen in the Free 'State would like Ireland to be a Republic, but not if it meant sacrificing for ever their ideal of a reunited Ireland. In the statement of policy which he made to the general constituent council of the United Ireland Party, General O'Duffy clearly exposed the weakest point in Mr. De Valera's position as a champion of reunion. The Free State can with- draw from partnership in the British Commonwealth when- ever it likes, he asserted—and that is perfectly true. But the only Republic which it would be in a position to declare would be a 26-county Republid—minus Ulster. If it wants reunion, it must be content with its existing status. In other words, the Republicanism of Mr. Be Valera and . his policy of antagonism to England are fatal to the .hopes of a united Ireland. That is a line of incontestably sound argument that the Free State Opposition may find it profitable to pursue. * * * •
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