Sir: While The Spectator reveals a liberal and humane approach
to and concern for the plight of the negro in Rhodesia, its approach to and lack of concern for the people of Northern Ireland reveal the perennial arrogance and bigotry of Britain towards the ' inferior ' Irish (who incidentally, contributed some of the greatest names in English history and literature). The problems of Ireland have stemmed from Britain's attempts to impose her language, her religion, her culture and her laws upon the Irish people, indeed the cultural genocide committed against the Irish is on a scale equal to that of Hitler's attempt at genocide. If Britain is annoyed at the Republic's failure to co-operate in the present crises, Britons should bear in mind the failure of their Government to fulfill the condutions of the original treaty which created Northern Ireland, namely, that the border was provisional plus the unification of Ireland, the ultimate goal. Northern Ireland is no more a part of Britain than Quebec is of France. Ulster and the Republic are better able to solve their own problems without foreign interference, just as Canada can solve hers without the gratuitous advice of General de Gaulle. Further attempts to incorporate Ulster into the United Kingdom will merely prolong the strife. 800 years of struggle should have taught Britain that she is neither needed nor welcome in Ireland. John Donahue Lothiniere, Quebec, Canada
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