IRISH FREE STATE " NATIONALS " • •
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Is Mr. George Bernard Shaw a British subject ? I put this question in view of Professor Berriedale Keith's letter in your issue of January 29th, and select Mr. Shaw as the subject-matter of my inquiry for two reasons, firstly because of his world-wide eminence as a man of letters, and secondly, because he deliberately sought to become an Irish Free State national, without that status being in any way forced on him. The Professor uses the expression " Irish national " in speak- ing of the persons who may be affected by any action of the Irish Free State Government : but this is not correct, as the inhabitants of Northern Ireland are as much persons of Irish nationality as those living in Southern Ireland.
It is quite possible that Mr. Shaw might rejoice in the fact that his becoming a Free. State national takes him out of the category of British subjects. It is possible and permissible for any man voluntarily to relinquish his birthright, and change his nationality. It is quite another matter to say that any local Legislative Body, either within or without the British Empire,' should be able to enact that a natural-born subject of His Britannic Majesty shall, against his will, cease to be a British subject.
There are many thousands living in the Free State, peers, privy councillors, former members of the judiciary, retired officers of all branches, naval, military and civil of the Crown services, all natural-born British subjects, who have taken oaths of allegiance to His Majesty's predecessors, and who regard their status of Civis Brikinnicus as something infinitely greater than even that of Civis Romanus in the ancient world. I am inclined to doubt very much if any of these men would for a moment agree with the suggestion that they are no longer included among the loyal subjects of His Majesty King George VI.—I remain, Sir, &c., J. D. A. JOHNSON. 5 Elton Park, Sandycove, Co. Dublin.
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