IRELAND & WAR

Grey River Argus, 20 March 1940, Page 5

IRELAND & WAR

MEN IN BRITISH FORCES. In the British forces at the front there is a considerable proportion oi Southern Irishmen. Irish names have appeared in the casualty fists, and a major exploit reported by the British Air Force was led by an Irishman’Flaherty from Tipperary. For more than a year a stream of Irish youths has gone to English towns and into Northern Ireland to enlist in the Budish Army, writes Hugh Curran from Dublin to the “Chicago Tribune.” Within a week no fewer than HU sailors have been put ashore, but censorship prohibits the publication of details, but the frequent occasions’ on which stranded crews from torpedoed ships have been brought into Irish ports constantly remind the Irish that they are in the midst of the battle area at sea. This applies mainly to southern Ireland, which is neutral. The northern area, which is at war and subject to the regulations affecting Britain, is different. In one respect the north is different from Britain: Ils manpower is not conscripted for the British Army.. For this exemption some claim that the Premier of Ireland, Eamon de Valera, is responsible. Under the new Constitution, it is held. Britain is precluded from conscripting for war Irish citizens residing in the northern area. Whether this is true or not, conscription has not been applied. But this is not to say that the north is not contributing to the fighting forces. The North Irish Horse, which was founded for the South African War in 1899 and fought in the World Wav, is being roorganised on a voluntary basis lo go to the front. It will be mechanised, however.

Internally, the position in Southern Ireland has not been noticeably affected by the war. The life of the ordinary citizen goes on as usual. But no one expects that this will continue if the war goes on. With the isolation of the country when the sea blockade becomes more effective trie Irish will be thrown more and more on their own resources. Supplies of imported food will become scarcer. Tea is a case in point. This country is probably the most addicted to tea drinking of any in the world. In other respects, particularly in regard to industrial raw materials, iron and steel and timber for building;, we should suffer severely. But we shall manager to struggle on. Our farmers can produce every essential. Our production of wheat has not yet reached anything like the normal demands, but a new order by the Government making tillage compulsory will increase next year’s harvest to cover needs. Existing stores are expected to be adequate until then., There will also be a big increase in other cereals, as well as potatoes and all other vegetables. Beef and mutton and other forms of meat are produced much in excess of the home needs. The compulsory tillage order has excited some criticism. Farmers who

usually devote themselves to cattle raising are annoyed at the prospect of changing their system of farming. They lack equipment, seeds and fertilisers. ’ , Ireland is unable to supply its neeus for coal and Britain is the only available source of supply. An attempt once was’made to get supplies from Germany, but now that is impossible. America as a supplier of coal is out of the question because of the heavy freight. Already the price of British coal is up by seven shillings a ton, and probably wall go higher. Fortunately the supply of Irish peat is plentiful. Although there is little fear of air raids, it is clear the Government feels precautions are necessary. In Dublin and other important cities for several weeks there have been blackouts every night. Even householders have been urged to screen their windows. The theatres, as well as cinemas, are still open. It is feared that supplies for the theatres will not be available much longer, and Irish entertainers have been urged to prepare to keep the houses of entertainment going with home productions.