IRELAND’S CHRISTMAS.

Evening Star, Issue 18160, 28 December 1922, Page 4

IRELAND’S CHRISTMAS.

Chkistmastide in Ireland' showed glimmerings of light. Messages somewhat guarded have come over,tho cables which indicate a desire that the season of peace and goodwill shall ijot be allbwcd to pass without some steps being taken to bring bade public order and settled conditions. It is sad to think that the fratricidal struggle continues after Ireland has reached the goal on. which her eyes were fixed for so long. But it has to bo remembered that one man can upset tho equilibrium of a whole street, and this can bo applied to Southern Ireland at the present time. The analogy is not unreasonable, for as far as can be gathered from the information available it is a very small minority indeed of the people who are showing fractious opposition to the carrying out of the obligations of the treaty. The worst of the Irregulars are malcontents and what were known in days of old as “masterless” men; in other words, individuals for whom discipline is essential in their own interests and for the public good. ( .>Tho best of the rebels are visionaries who drop the bone for the shadow, and who are ready to fight for some intangible ideal that is not only impracticable but impossible of achievement. Tho Republicans are beaten on every baud, but they still have power to do incalculable mischief in interfering with public utilities and retarding the measures that are "being taken for the regeneration of the country. Further, there is always the hope that some unforeseen contingency will occur that will turn things to their advantage. Probably, however, the best hope for tho Irregular leaders is the chance of an embroilment between the Free State and Ulster.

But for this unhappy and altogether 'unreasonable attitude on the part of the extremists, Ireland could look forward with confidence to an era which would mark the peaceful development of her resources and to prosperity unequalled in her history. The treaty has been ratified and has received the Royal Assent, the Gover-nor-General and tho Executive Council have been appointed, and the British troops have been withdrawn'. In every way the spirit of tho pact entered into has been carried out by, the British Government and the representatives of Dail Eireann with scrupulous exivetitude. Ireland now has the means and the opportunity to work out her own destiny. To Mr Cosgvave and his colleagues is left the work of placing the coping atone on tho edifice which has been so painfully constructed. It is a difficult task, but tho evidence suggests that they mean to complete it without flinching. Conciliatory and lenient measures having failed, it has been decided to adopt a sterner policy. R. is better that a sharp lesson should bo taught than that tho campaign of murder, destruction, and systematic interference with trade and industry should be allowed to continue.

One hopeful message is that which reports thqt a meeting of Sinn Fein clubs in Dublin carried resolutions urging tho convocation of the National Sinn Fein Congress to arrange peace with the Free State. If this is true, it may ho a herald of the dawn. The Irregulars are hopelessly beaten. To maintain a state of civil war is as futile as it is unprofitable. Were they to listen to the voices of reason and common sense, 1923 would ho ushered in to the announcement that the disputing sections of the Irish race had come together to work for the peaceful development of their country. Sir James Craigs message to the Ulster people expresses an admirable sentiment-. God grant a year of peace and goodwill, not only for Ulster, but for the whole of Ireland. I pray that the new Governments may be given a fair trial, so that each, within its own sphere, shall bo able to work for tho advancement of the people, and that the dissensions which have torn the land may disappear.