In many districts not only was the criminal law in
abeyance but the civil law also. Sinn Fein Courts had been set up. One or two towns were wholly in the hands of self-chosen Committees, which ruled despotically and would not allow any work to be done. One obvious failure on the part of the Government was that they. had not co-ordinated the work of the police and the troops. We are extremely glad that Lord Robert Cecil empha- sized this fact. It is true, of course, that it is not either possible or desirable for troops to do the ordinary work. of policemen, but the troops could surely protect the police. As it is, the police for very weakness have been forced to abandon hundreds of their barracks, which have been burnt by the Sinn Feiners. We look to Sir Nevil Macready to effect the necessary co-ordination, which of course implies unity of command.
Previous page
