The . Manchester Guardian has been publishing inter- esting but distressing
accounts of widespread distress in the West of Ireland. It amounts, we are told, to "a potential famine." The two essentials of life for the West of Ireland peasant are his potatoes for food and his peat for fuel. This year, owing it seems to exceptionally wet weather, both have failed. The result, though not yet catastrophic, may well become so unless vigorous action is taken. Apparently the Free State Government has acted with considerable promptitude and good sense. It voted £500,000 some months ago for relief work, such as road-making, drainage, &c, and it is attempting to make up the fuel deficiency by sending coal to the affected areas. Unfortunately, the peasants have no proper means of burning coal in their cabins. Wood will probably be found the more useful substitute.
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