As regards the new Irish Constitution, it was to be
submitted to the Provisional Parliament in Dublin and then sent to Westminster for ratification.
" Not until we have passed another Act of Parliament con- firming the Constitution and finally ratifying the Treaty does the Irish Free State attain its full juridical status, nor does tho month begin to run in Which Ulster may exercise her option of contracting out, and not until that option has been exercised does the Boundary Commission come into operation."
The tenor of Mr. Churchill's speech was summed up in the words, " We can afford to wait ; we have done our best." In answer to a speech by Colonel Gretton Mr. Churchill declared that in no circumstances would the British Government recognize a Republic. While acknowledging the clearness, and to a considerable extent the reasonableness, of that part of Me.
Churchill's speech which defined the attitude of the Govern- ment towards Ithe Dublin coalition, we must express our deep
disappointment, indeed our indignation, that the Government said nothing about protecting the loyalists in Ireland whose
cruel sufferings have become a scandal and a dishonour to England. Week after week some new excuse is made for postponing the operation of the Treaty as it was originally drawn. Meanwhile assassination, arson and wholesale destruc- tion go an. All this is happening within a few hours' journey
of London. Such things would not lee tolerated in the remotest parts of the earth. Why should they be tolerated in Ireland !
