6 SEPTEMBER 1963, Page 16

SIR,—Your paper shows a liberalism not exactly typical of the

British press in publishing Dr. Mackey's letter.

The trial of Casement and the accompanying obscene trafficking of the first Lord Birkenhead pro- vide one of the most discreditable tableaux in British history.

In extenuation, England was fighting for survival and, as a humanitarian figure of world renown, the judicial murder of Casement could have been cal- culated to have had a very adverse effect on public opinion in the then neutral United States. From strictly Machiavellian criteria the assassination of Casement's character could no doubt be justified. However, after almost fifty years, the failure to allow his remains to be reinterred in Ireland, in accordance with his wishes, would appal even the crafty Florentine by its vindictiveness and petty- mindedness.

P. 6 coNctiOnt Chairman, London Branch, Celtic League 82 St. Alban's Avenue, W4