Ireland The Constitution Amendment Bill passed through the Dail last
week. Introduced on Wednesday, it reached the report stage on Friday, was approved by the Senate on Saturday, and immediately made law by an Order in Council. The haste with which it was passed has drawn the expected protests from the obvious quarters. The Act gives complete power to a military court to deal with questions of treason, sedition and seditious libel, felony, intimidation of juries and offences against the Firearms Act. There is no appeal to the Civil Courts against the death sentence. The measure is a strong one, but un- doubtedly necessary. Secret societies have, during the last two years, grown and flourished ; to the two most im- portant ones; the I.R.A. and Saor Eire (a Communist or- ganization), the term " secret " can hardly be applied. The action of the Catholic authorities in condemning them cannot be too strongly commended. . The Constitution, as Mr. Cosgrave pointed out, makes -ample provision for consulting. the views of a minority ; but suggestions come -better without a revolver to back - them.- The refusal. of the minorities to recognize this fact has necessitated strong action. It is, however„, expected that Mr. Cosgrave will be schooled by past experience to wield his powerful weapon with moderation. Political martyr- dom in Ireland is easily achieved and exceptionally fruitfUl.
Previous page
