The Drama of Shin Fein. By Shaw Desmond. (W. Collins,
Sons and Co. 17s. 6d. net.) Mr. Shaw Desmond takes a mystical view of Ireland, which just because it is elusive can hardly commend itself to practical persons. He writes as though Ireland were animated by some strange spirit which must have its way and tolerates no resistance. He says that not even the Irish themselves understand the spirit that moves them. All they know, apparently, is that they must answer to the impetus and that there will be trouble in Ireland until those inside, or outside, who are responsible for her fate acknowledge that her destiny must be fulfilled. All this seems rather vague and hopeless. But that is the impression produced upon us by the book. Mr. Desmond writes a panegyric on Casement, but when he comes to the cold-blooded murder of Mr. Alan Bell he speaks as though such predestined things must happen, and that is all about it. Even in the ease of' Bloody Sunday" he excuses the murder of the officers in their beds on the ground that they were doing Secret Service work though nominally acting as officers. We should have thought that Intelligence work was a necessary part of an officer's job when he is ordered to do it. Mr. Desmond says that Brugha, not Collins, was the real man in the field, and that Collins was put forward only to mislead the English. Finally, he prophesies that there will be no peace till there is a Republic. Possibly he is right, and we have long thought that the dangers of allowing Southern Ireland to call herself a Republic have been exaggerated. But if, after all, there should be a Republic, Protestant Ulster will not be in it, though Mr. Desmond regards her inclusion as essential. He cannot have it both ways.
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