A WORD FOR EIRE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 119, 22 May 1945, Page 4

A WORD FOR EIRE

In connection with Mr. Churchill's remarks re the neutrality of Eire, ' may I point out that there are two | sides to most questions, even those connected with Ireland. First, we should remember that the partition was, and still is, bitterly resented by the majority of the Irish people— this partition that was forced upon them against their will by the English Government. Incidentally, it was that partition that put into Eire's hands the power to claim neutrality —a power she had never possessed in any of England's previous wars— the irony of fate and a judgment some of our so-called extremists say. Secondly, as Mr. Churchill was fair enough to admit, thousands of Irishmen from Eire fought side by side with the British in this war. He did not say (which is a fact) that there were other thousands of Irish blood fighting on the Allied side, men born in the U.S.A., Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere. Thirdly, and perhaps more important, a glance at the map will show anyone the solid buffer little Eire, situated as she is between the North Atlantic and the West of England and Wales, proved in this awful war.. There is no doubt, had Eire been fighting with the Allies in the early days, Germany would have occupied the country, as she did so many others. Not only Ireland's harbours and coastal towns would have been in German hands, but the entire country. And what a splendid jumpingoff ground for the bombing planes and flying rockets that came later she would have been against England and Wales ! So, taken all round, perhaps England should be grateful to Mr. de Valera and his policy of neutrality, though he certainly did not mean it that way. EMILY GIBSON.