13 MAY 1916, Page 2

Of course officers ought not to share the excitement of

mind thus produced, but, after all, the world knows that officers are human beings and are apt to catch the passions and illusions of their men. If, as is alleged, Mr. Skeffington was a harmless pacificist engaged not in -fomenting rebellion but in endeavouring to put it down,' and even if he recklessly exposed himself to the suspicion of aiding and abetting, the rebels by the fire zone, and if the officer who ordered him to be shot can be shown to have disobeyed in- struction.s,we must still protest against that officer being condemned except by the proper authority. To judge him because, as Mr. Healy seemed to suggest, " all Dublin is ringing " with the incident, is an outrage.