The Irish Situation
The visit of Lord Hailsham and Mr. J. H. Thomas to Dublin, the return visit of Mr. de Valera to London, and the rejection by the Irish Senate of the effective clauses of the Bill abolishing the Oath, have transformed the whole situation as between the two countries. There is obviously everything to be said for establishing personal contacts, and if it meant stretching a point for the British Ministers to pack up and set off for Dublin, the point was worth stretching and the initial results have to all appear- ance been good. The situation still needs clarifying. If Mr. de Valera genuinely believes his action can be squared with the 1921 Treaty, while the British Cabinet and practically everyone else in this country believe it cannot, the right course is manifestly to seek some impartial adjudication. If, on the other hand, the Irish Government's position is that it intends to abolish the Oath whether that means breaking the Treaty or not, then there is nothing for it but to throw on the Govern- ment the full responsibility, both political and economic, for its decision. There are already clear manifestations of the disquiet that possibility is creating in business circles in Ireland. Meanwhile the delay imposed by the Senate on the consummation of Mr. de Valera's plans may be a very valuable element in the situation. The Irish President's views of to-day and the considered views of Ireland tomorrow, or in six months' time, may be very different things. But Mr. de Valera will find it necessary to take a final decision at Ottawa if he does not take it sooner.
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