The Dublin correspondent of the Times has an interesting letter
on the condition and prospects of the Royal Irish Con- stabulary in Wednesday's issue. Ulster Unionists maintain that the force is tending to become predominantly Roman Catholic and Nationalist owing to a steady decline in the number of Protestant recruits, and can no longer be trusted to act with perfect impartiality as between Unionists and Nationalists. Sir Neville Chamberlain, the Inspector-General of the Force, while declining to discuss the bearing of Home Rule on recruiting or the question of alleged partisanship, has pointed out in an interview that charges of sectarianism were brought against the force in 1886 and were declared to be without foundation, but admitted that the Roman Catholic majority in the force had increased from seventy-four to seventy-nine per cent, in the last ten years. The prosperity of Ulster, from which the Protestant element is largely recruited, has undoubtedly checked recruiting, more remunera- tive work being available on the spot. The social prestige of the force has declined owing to the industrial and agricultural progress of the country. Finally, as the Times correspondent observes, "Almost every Irish Protestant, educated or unedu- cated, has made up his mind that if the present Bill is enforced Ireland will be governed by the influences which now refuse to allow policemen or soldiers to take part in athletic sports and to appoint a retired policeman or military pensioner to any position in the local government of the country."
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