We sincerely hope that a debate will be arranged in
Parliament as soon as possible upon the state of Ireland as distinct, or as far as possible distinct, from the question of applying Homo Rule to Ireland. This is a matter of discharging the simplest and barest functions of government. The Irish papers contain unending stories of raids on private houses, of assassinations, of innocent people who have offended Sinn Fein being threatened with death, of cattle-drives, and so on. Correspond- ents in Ireland inform y.s that nevertheless many disgraceful incidents are never reported in the papers ; they are too insig- nificant in these days. It seems that in such a time of terror the police force, instead of being increased, is in effect being reduced. This is easily understood. Patrols have to be rein- forced, which means in practice that there are fewer patrols ; and garrisons of police strong enough to beat off attack have to be kept in the barracks at night. Several police barracks have been shut.
