AN IRISH REPUBLIC
[To the Editor of TEE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—There has been lately in England a considerable amount of loose talk on the subject of Ireland leaving the Empire. What is meant by " Ireland " ? The Free State or the whole country ? It is certain that the Six Counties have no intention of leaving the Empire or of being pushed out.. " Ireland leaving the Empire," therefore, means the Free State leaving it. Would England consent ? There are no doubt many magnanimous souls untroubled by any knowledge of Ireland or of Irish affairs who would say : " If the Free State does not wish for partnership with us, let it go ; we wish it no M."- If they knew a little about the country, their magnanimity would express itself differently ; and, if they gave due weight to the fact that nothing less than the separation of the whok of Ireland from the Empire would satisfy the Republicans, they would recognize that justice:was as necessary as magnanimity in dealing with,the country._ Justice for the Six Counties, it not for the Free State ,Minority. If the Free State became a republic, the Six Couhties would certainly be attacked. Not directly and openly, perhaps, but by means of outrage and assassination. England would be forced. before long to interfere, and interference might have to end in reconquest and the waste of all the political education which made possible the present Dominion status of Southern Ireland.—I am, Sire
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