THE ANNUITIES CONTROVERSY
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—As an old subscriber, I trust you will permit me to make an observation on your "News of the Week—Annuities Controversy" of the issue of July 9th. I am at a loss to understand how you can fail to appreciate why Mr. de Valera does not want an arbitration tribunal limited to members of
the Empire—it is part of his desire to flout the Empire when- ever he imagines it will strengthen his own political position and please his Republican friends. The talk of the dice being loaded against Ireland (or him) is an insult and meant as an insult. It is vital, I think, that in the circumstances, the tribunal should be an Empire one. Surely it is unwise, and I think unpatriotic, even to appear to condone such impertinent dishonesty as Mr. de Valera has shown in this matter of the annuities. I greatly regret the unnecessary manner and method of your attack on Mr. Thomas ; he has been very patient and restrained, I think, in decidedly [Our correspondent claims more knowledge than we do of Mr. de Valera's motives, but we have never had the slightest intention of defending his personal attitude. But we see no grave objection to the inclusion of one or two foreign members on a tribunal of five.—En. Spectator.]
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