The Irish Government announced last Saturday that convicted prisoners would
no longer receive specially favourable treatment in gaol, and that those who resorted to a " hunger-strike " would not be released in any circumstances. It is common knowledge that the law has been brought into contempt by the absurd leniency of the authorities. Men taken with arms in their possession have pretended to be " political " prisoners and have claimed and received special privileges. Men who have voluntarily gone without their food for a day or two have been released. We trust that the Irish Government, having
announced their intention of enforcing the law, will adhere to it. Irishmen, like all other people, respect a firm Administra- tion, and they were never so happy as in the days when Mr. Balfour ruled wisely and resolutely at Dublin Castle.
