IRISH LOYALTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25552, 3 June 1944, Page 8

IRISH LOYALTY

Sir,—Whefi I read a letter from the vitriolic pen of “Up Churchill ” on the loyalty of Northern Ireland, I wondered if this is the part of Ireland which in 1914 organised a rebellion, set up a provisional Government, established an army, seized the Custom House and imported arms openly from Germany while the leader of this rebellion, Sir Edward Carson, visited the Kaiser, and his satellites publicly boasted that “they had the assistance of a powerful European monarch who was willing to rid England of her responsibilities! ” _ , At this time the famous Irishman, John Redmond, gathered an army of 120,000 volunteers to fight against Germany while his brother, William Redmond, died for England in Flanders. In the Ulster Morning Post appeared the following: “I would rather be governed by the German Emperor and Germany than by John Redmond.” These are Sir Edward Carson’s words, and further, he said, “he would treat the Government of England with force.” He defied England’s Arms Act, the Treason Felony Act, and was not sent to gaol or even hanged, but instead was made First Sea Lord! Even In Wellington people of your correspondent’s type held a meeting under the nose of that famous Orangeman, Mr Massey, and offered to send men and money to fight England. If such resolutions were openly sent to Mr de Valera what would be said? I pause for a reply. It would be no trouble for me to fill a page of a newspaper about the loyalty of Northern Ireland, but will your correspondent deny one word I have said? —I am, etc., J- J* Nyhon. Broad Bay, May 31.