MARTIAL LAW IN IRELAND.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The natural effect of proclaiming martial law in a few counties of Ireland is to drive militant Sinn Feiners out of them into other parts of the country to which it has not been extended. This movement has already begun, and will con- tinue until the measure is applied to the whole country. Meanwhile, those counties which are still comparatively peaceful will be invaded by the Sinn Fein murder gangs. There is no county in Ireland without an actively seditious element, and none where martial Taw would not be welcomed by the law-abiding part of the population. The thing will have to be clone sooner or later. Why make half a dozen bites at a cherry? If there are not troops enough in Ireland to enforce martial law everywhere then surely their number should he increased to the requisite strength. Soldiers cost no more to keep here than in England. Or can it be that the Government is afraid of driving the Sinn Fein assassins into England if Ireland is made too hot to hold them?—I am, Sir,
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