CELTIC TWILIGHT
Sts,—As the unofficial Unionist member for a Northern Ire/and Unionist constituency, may I, as one who is uninfluenced by the official Unionist Party Whip, be permitted to offer a few comments upon the article en- titled "Celtic Twilight," by Professor Julian Huxley?
My perusal of the article in question leads me to the regrettable con- clusion that your correspondent speaks with very scant knowledge of the realities of the Irish problem. His description of the conditions which exist today in Eire is largely correct. I do not, however, agree "that there is a considerable psychological resistance to the idea of planning and efficient State intervention, even in social affairs, based on the irrational feeling that organisation is a step to war." I have had recent oppor- tunities of participating in various conferences in Eire and in these it was to me quite evident that influential sections of Southern Irish opinion were deeply interested in post-war pxoblems and in the conditions likely to follow the present international conflict. Similarly I cannot agree with the apparent contention that the Southern attitude of neutrality is, amongst other reasons, based upon the fear that organisation will lead to war. Such a conclusion would be at variance with all that is known of the Irishman's natural fighting propensities, and is immediately contradicted by a general survey of Irish history.
I have no doubt whatever that Fire's present neutrality is due to one root cause, a deepseated and insensate hatred of Britain. The attitude of irritation towards the United States is due to the fact that that country has allied itself to Britain. There are no facts to support the contention that Eire's opinion has changed since recent events in North Africa.
Whilst I agree that the existence of the partition between Northern and Southern Ireland has not improved Anglo-Irish relations, it must be agreed, on the other hand, that the source of Southern Irish enmity is of much earlier origin. What assurance exists to show that if the present partition was abolished tomorrow the bitterness and enmity would be removed? Does Professor Huxley suggest that the people of Northern Ireland, whose territory and harbours, in contrast with those of Eire, have been at the disposal of the British Commonwealth, and whose deep-seated loyalty cannot be questioned, should be compelled to forfeit their allegiance and exchange the Union Jack for the neutral flag of Eire and the National Anthem for the Soldiers' Song? Does he realise that when he indulges in the, argument that military support would speedily crush any resistance in the Six Counties he sets at nought the principles of freedom for which the United Nations fight today, and would resurrect the tragic drama of Poland in Northern Ireland? Professor Huxley knows, or should know, that any scheme which sought to recognise allegiance to Britain, even for purposes of defence, would be immediately rejected by the Government of Eire. He should know, if he has
thoroughly investigated conditions in 'Eire, that Irish Republicanism is increasing its power and influence in many counties in the South.
The! United States would- not be in this war today if it still recollected the bitterness of its past relations with Britain. Irishmen, both North and South, have no reason to be particularly grateful to Britain so far as its recollection of the past is concerned. We in the North have, however, learned to forget and have chosen, with advantage to ourselves, the path- way of peace and progress. When our brethren in the South learn to eradicate the memory of past bitternesses and decide to walk in friendly co-operation with their fellows then, and then only, will I have any hope of the successful removal of the dual partition which exists between the North and South and between Eire and Great Britain. Such a solution, however, can only come from within and is obviously a matter for the people of Eire, who must decide their own destiny and make their own decisions. To enforce those decisions, either upon North or South, will only lead to undesirable strife and make for still greater dismemberment. —Yours faithfully,
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