NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE Irish Provisional Government, if they had any intention of remaining in existence, could not possibly have refused any longer the numerous challenges to their authority. The trial of strength is now going on. It is said by some ob- servers, and is implied by the Government, that the Provisional Government could not have taken really strong action before the Irish elections, but that now with the obvious will of the majority behind them they have a right to suppress all rebellious opposition. We cannot agree with this excuse for delay. Even if the Provisional Government had not known the wishes of the majority from the beginning, as they certainly did, they were set up as a Government six months ago in order to govern. For six months they have looked on while the irregulars who repudiated their authority have carried lawlessness and murder throughout Ireland, including Ulster, and all this time they have done nothing except issue a few half-hearted protests and occasionally disavow all responsibility for what was happening.
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