Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1940. THE THREAT TO IRELAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 223, 28 June 1940, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1940. THE THREAT TO IRELAND.

The course of the war, especially the collapse of France, has brought to Eire a realisation of her grave danger of invasion by the Germans. The experience of other countries whose attractions in the eyes of the Nazi military authorities were no greater than hers has provided a warning that no consideration of declaration of neu-i trality carries with the aggressors any weight against strategic advantage. Thinly defended as Eire is as a result of the withdrawal of British troops and the handing over of control ol former naval bases under the treaty, it cannot be denied that Eire would be able to make little resistance against an enemy force sent to establish a base for attacks on Britain. The only adequate defence would be troops from Britain, which, however, cannot at present be sent to Eire as their, dispatch would constitute an infringement of neutrality. Any forces that are intended for defence must be stationed in Northern Island, ready for instant action if the Germans attempt a landing. In the meantime, Mr de Valera rightly turns to Irish military enlistments as an immediate means of assisting to meet the threatened danger. The seriousness of the position is not minimised. “We are in imminent danger—-we have days, not weeks, in which to prepare,” said Mr de Valera in a broadcast appeal awakening the people s concern about the defence of Ireland. The leaders of both North and South realise that Ireland’s defence calls for very serious attention and that the United Kingdom is concerned about the whole position, intimately and practically, in harmony with legal provisions. An Ireland inadequately protected would be a grave weakness in any scheme of British defence whereas its thorough preparation for the emergency would turn a risk into an advantage. ylt will be no surprise if Mr de Valera’s call elicits a typically Irish reply in very numerous offers to serve the colours. A great tradition waits to be given fresh meaning: Ireland for the Irish —not for the German.