THE Thames Star. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1925. IRELAND.

Thames Star, Volume LIX, Issue 16624, 21 October 1925, Page 4

THE Thames Star.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1925. IRELAND.

“With malice towards none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right."—Lincoln.

“There is no country in Europe calmer than Ireland. Crime is rare, and it is unknown what Commumst perils are. We have ceased to recognise the report of a gunshot.” These words, conveying to a French interviewer an expression of the happiness that has descended on Ireland, “thanks to the beneficient treaty,” do not emanate from some casual observer, but from no less a person than the President of the Irish Free State, who is on his way to Rome with .a large party of “pilgrims.” Mr Cosgrave suggests himself that he may be suspected of presenting too idyllic a picture. But though his statement inferentially reflects some credit on the Government which he represents, and may on that account be open to criticism as not quite strictly impartial, it is certainly with authority that he gives a report concerning Southern Ireland to the outside world. The change that has come over the spirit of the scene in Ireland and the comparative quietude that is being experienced in the country are reflected in the fact that in these days we hear very little concerning its affairs. Having ceased to supply any sensational matter, Ireland occupies an * inconspicuous place in the cable news. It may be said that, as appearances are sometimes deceitful, so outward calm in Ireland may be but a surface indication. It is is to be borne in mind, however, that Republicanism in Ireland ever had a loud as well as a harsh voice, and the fact that this is now seldom heard argues the effect of fhe force of circumstances. Against those who have denounced it for not using the Free State as a stepping-stone to a republic the Government has secured material vindication at the poll. Mr de Valera and* his friends are manifestly at a discount as regards their ability to command serious public attention, and the political equilibrium of the Free State is considered to be comfortably, if not completely, established. Mr Cosgrave’s account of the comparative felicity of the Free State is substantially endorsed in an article contributed to the Round Table by a resident in South-western Ireland who has evidently studied closely the changing conditions m the country. The real truth, always disguised and never frankly admitted this writer observes, is that the groat majority o,f the Irish people never wanted a republic. The attitude of 80 per cent, of the people, he says, was one of expectancy and watchfulness. They were quite unconvinced that the policy of proclaiming .a phantom republic and assassinating individual policemen, was a certain panacea for the ills of their country., but they gave the experiment its chance up to the point when it became evident that a Free State in the hand was worth any number of republics in the bush, and that it was obviously a better political and economic bargain to boot. Thus Mr de Valera is depicted as ruefully reflecting that one cannoj; have a republic -without republicans, and the people, “sick of military truculence,” is not in the least disposed to give a blank cheque to a party without a social policy or a constructive ability. The popular desire in Southern Ireland is, we gather, now for the discussion of realities rather than republics, and the people are credited with realising quite clearly 'that a republic could not improve the financial and economic status of the Free •State area, whilst it would undoubtedly injure it in many vital respects. The writer in the Round Table indicates that the citizens of the Free State as a whole are not really interested in the boundary question. He concludes his survey with the declaration: “We see the Irish Free State firmly established and gaining strength and experience day bv day. . . . Whatever the immediate future may hold, the Irish Free State has made, good: a nation, is on the march.”