We hate to seem cruel or unsympathetic to the unfortunate
General in the hands of these political brigands, but what on earth are the Law Officers of the Crown doing in allowing sub- ordinate officers at Fermoy to communicate with the kidnapped man by the grace and favour of Sinn Fein 7 Surely they should have been reminded in the sternest way that the political brigands whb kidnapped the General had committed the gravest crime known to the law—the crime of high treason in levying war against the sovereign. To communicate with the brigands at all except under express orders from the Crown, conveyed through a Minister, is a condonation of high treason. It is the allowance of such acts that affords proof positive of what we have often said, and shall say again till people listen—namely, whatever. that the Government have ceased to govern. A further proof is to be found in the military rioting at Fermoy, which should have been prevented at all costs. The troops no doubt had some excuse for their behaviour, but there is nothing so demoralizing to military discipline as such acts, no matter what the provoca- tion. If mutiny is allowed for one reason, it may soon claim to be allowed for another. We are told, and rightly told, that the civil Government must command the military. Then, in heaven's name, why do they not command ?
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