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Otago Daily Times, Issue 18512, 24 March 1922, Page 4

THE IRISH SITUATION. The nows from Ireland continues to be of a most disappointing and disturbing character. Heartened doubtless by Mr de Valera’s fiery declarations, the Republican forces are playing havoc with the property, and, in some cases, with the lives of loyalists, and the inhabitants of parts of the border between Northern Ireland and the Free State are living practically under war conditions. Isolated outrages were to have been expected in the most favourable circumstances for some time to come because of the scope which the lawless clement has had to practise terrorism. But organised operations on the part of the Republican forces, enemies alike of the supporters of the Irish Treaty in the Free State and of the Ulstermen in the North, are of a much more serious character. It appears certain that the loyalists in the North will be compelled to combine for self-protection as well us for the purpose of preserving the rule of constituted authority. When the Republicans go the length of issuing an official announcement of the defeat of the Ulster Constabulary and the infliction of twenty casualties, it is quite unnecessary for them to state in the same document that “the situation on the border is very menacing.” The condition of affairs in Tyrone is lamentable. The havoc wrought by flying columns of the Republican forces has already been of grave dimensions, and it is certain that unless tbo desperadoes are checked the conditions will rapidly become worse. Beyond the immediate destruction and loss of life the political consequences aro disquieting. Tbc loyalists very naturally look to Groat Britain for protection, and already there have been serious complaints of British apathy and neglect. The Imperial Government has hesitated to interfere in a situation which is the immediate affair of the respective Governments in Ireland. It is expected of the Free State Government that it will discourage by every means in its power overt acts against the people of Northern Ireland by forces which utilise the. Free State as their base and constitute a menace to it .ts well as to Northern Ireland. No morn gratifying proof of the acceptance by the Free State and by Northern Ireland alike of the political conditions which the execution of tbo Irish Treaty have brought about could bo provided than in the joint adoption of plans by the two Governments for the suppression of the Republican faction, but this is, probably, far more than we may dare to hope for. The Government of

Northern Ireland may feel, of course, that it ig capable of coping successfully with the Republican forces on its frontier, and it is to be hoped that such may prove to be the case, but it is clear that it would be at the risk of serious trouble with the Free State if its defensive forces were to pursue the Republicans across the frontier. On the other hand, the embarkation of British troops for Ireland would not be productive of good feeling in the Free State. Yet it is clearly obvious that the people of Northern Ireland must be protected, if need be, by British forces. If it be true, and the present indications give point to the assertion, that the Republicans used the period of the truce to complete their plans for an attempt to overthrow the Northern Government, it may be imperative for the British Government to intervene. Doubtless the great majority of Irishmen desire peace, but a preliminary to peace appears unfortunately to be the destruction of the Republican forces, or such of them as refuse to abide by the decisions of constituted authority.