We publish to-day the first of a series of articles
on the position in Ireland, to which we wish to call the special attention of our readers. We have no desire to do anything which may interfere with the terrible task before the Free State Government or to embarrass them with hostile criticism. It is, however, absolutely essential that the British public should know the facts and understand the influences that are shaping opinion and directing events in Southern Ireland. Out of darkness nothing but weak counsels and evil decisions can come. If, unhappily, the Free State Government should in the end fail to restore order, and there should be a complete breakdown in Government, the British people will have to make up their minds about the next step. And for that purpose they must be informed of the facts. We shall give no clue to the identity of the writer for obvious reasons. No one need look for clues. We shall take the liberty, if necessary, of giving wrong ones. All we can say is that he is competent to observe, that he has first-rate opportunities for observation, and that he has an impartial mind. An accident enabled him to revisit Ireland after many months' absence. In future articles he will deal with such matters as the Army, the position of the Roman Church, and the attitude of the Southern Irish people towards the new Constitution and its makers and exponents.
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