THE CONDITION OF IRELAND.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") SIR,—I have visited Ireland for fifty years. and have had a helve in the West of Ireland for the last fifteen years. May I add a few words to your article on the Irish question in your issue of June 21st?
The Gevernment continue to blunder on because they do not sufficiently know the facts. One thing is clear. Ireland in the West does not want any sort Of Home Rule—that is, if the opinion of the sober-minded men one meets represents the true feeling of the country. Ireland is divided apparently into two sets of people—the rowdy noisy windbags in the towns, and the steady-going persons of all classes who only want peace. The latter are silent, trusting to the Government to protect them. The same Government and many others occupy themwires in listening to the windbags, and imagine they are listening to the voice of Ireland. Nothing of the kind is the ease. The question may be asked, Why do not the opponents of Hothe Rule, Sinn Fein, and the Irish Republic make themselves heard? For the simple reason that if you spoke too loudly residence in the West of Ireland would be impossible. Fear of consequences rules the situation.
There is obviously only one remedy. That is to carry on the present form of government with resolute firmness and generosity. Any makeshift only means cruel injustice to the loyal population and disaster to the country. If Ireland were made a Republic, and Sinn Fen had its way, the Irish would fight and squabble just the same. If many of the men who write an the subject knew of the actual state of affairs, they would cease to urge their views. Could painful ignorance be better shown than by the writer to the Times who urged that all soldiers and the constabulary should be withdrawn? If such a childish and ridiculous blunder could he perpetrated, I only hope that gentleman will take up his residence in the West of Ireland. He would soon change his mind. The ignorance of the people of the lower classes is 'appalling. I will not go into the matter in detail, for I fancy most people know the cause. But these persons are readily led away by any noisy 'agitator; and have no idea of the real facts of the case. 'rhey are purposely kept in ignorance. A sound system of education, if only it could be applied, would do wonders for Ireland, and mixed marriages between Roman Catholics and Protestants Would make an enormous change for the better.
Finally, the people in the West are absolutely unfit for any sort of self-government until education has opened their eyes. A very large proportion can now neither read nor write, and no really good men would offer to stand for election to any sort of Irish Parliament. The sooner the Government of the country comes to the conclusion that the present forth of government properly administered is the only form possible, the better it would he for all concerned. Sinn Fein would
soon die out.—I ani, Sir, &e., A MAN FROM THE WEST.
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