MR DE VALERA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26793, 9 June 1948, Page 6

MR DE VALERA

Sir,—All right-thinking . people In the world were shocked during the early days of the recent terrible war when they learned of the projected invasion of England by the arms of Germany and her allies. When the British leader. Winston Churchill, stated that if that Invasion was carried out and if of necessity his Government was forced temporarily to shift to Canada, there was no thought of surrender in the hearts or minds of that leader or of the peoples of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Some 800 years ago Ireland was invaded by England, and, although overpowered ,by weight of arms and numbers, never for one moment acknowledged the rights of the aggressor, and throughout the long centuries of persecution held to the right of self-government. If Britain was right in 1941, surely Ireland was right in 1171 and down the years until at. least she was granted some measure of freedom. If Mr Churchill is respected as a great leader (and rightly so), why revile the leader of another small nation under exactly ’ the same circumstances? It is well to mention' here that Ireland was fully justified in her long fight against English aggression for the reason that she was never conquered. Can the same be claimed of Northern Ireland, which in 1914 was in open rebellion against the Crown she acknowledged, and, under the then Sir Edward Carson (who visited the German Kaiser), publicly boasted that “ they had the assistance of a powerful European monarch, who was willing to rid England of her responsibilities. Carson also stated that "he would break the Government of England by force. “People living In glasshouses should not throw stones,” so it would be wise if those who have lately indulged in a campaign of revilement against a great patriot would look back Into the P a fif s of history and become conversant of the true facts before engaging in such a campaign. Also, it would be better if they had the moral courage to sign their names to their letters. Finally, these correspondents appear to be unaware that during the course of the war Ireland was a neutral nation and as such was governed by the laws of neutrality .-I am, etc., L MacDonald. - [Subject to the right of reply by “ Loyal Ulsterman,” the correspondence Is closed.—Ed., O.D.T.]