The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-02-16
END OF IRISH
CONFLICT MAY
STIR ANOTHER
PEACE MAY CREATE ANoTH-
Err PROBLEM. AND WILL
LEAVE ONE MAJOR ISSUE
UNsoLvED
By DEWITT MACKENZIE


NEW YORK, Feb. I6.-Even if
present negotiations between the
Irish Free State and Britain end
the dire political and econimic
warfare of the two governments.
peace may create another prob
lem and certainly will leave one
major issue unsolved.
1t will increase tension be-
tween Northern Ireland and the
Free State, whose people regard
each other with bitterness that
often has been marked by blood
shed. And it will not remove
the deepseated hatred of the
southern Iris for the English.
The mere suggestion that the
Anglo-Free State conflict might
be approaching peace has sent a
wave of uneasiness throug h
Northern Ireland and political
leaders are getting into action,
The northerners are fearful of
anything which might tend to
bloster President canon de Val
era of the Free State in his ambi-
ton to achieve union of the north
and south of Ireland.
independence Or War
Northern Ireland has declared
time and again that she will use
lferce to prevent unifieation. No
one doubts that she means bust.
ness. If proof were needed it
could be seen in her well-armed
border and trained militia which
includes virtually every able
bodied male Orangeman within
her boundaries.
There is constant small trouble
between the two peoples along
the border. In some sections
there frequently is wanton des-
truction of property. In these
parts the Northern Ireland Con-
stabulary even wear their pistols
to church. Pin-pricking customs
regulations on both sides, and ar
rests and fines add to the discord.
Main causes of this trouble are
1. Religious-Proestants (who
are in the majority in Northern
Ireland) VS.. Catholics.
2. Economic-Northern Ire
land is wealthy and does not pro-
pose to contribute to the upkeep
of the south.
8. Racial - Inhabitants of
Northern Ireland are largely OF
Scotch and English descent.
Despite the vast differences,
de Valera never has abandoned
the idea of uniting the two sec
tons. To make an Orangeman
mad, you need only mention de
Valera's name.
Haired OF English Intense
/ The anti-English feeling in the
Free State has become intensified
in the last five years. English
men have been manhandled in
Irish cities. Once when feeling
was running high in Dublin 1 was
advised to keep off the streets as
much as possible as / might be
mistaken for a Briton.
Great numbers of Irish mer-
chants have refused to handle
English goods and produce. Shops
of those venturing to sell English
stuff have been raided by irate
crowds. Saloons have been
smashed up because they stocked
beverages from across the Irish
channel.
Scotch And Soda? Never
The feeling of the average Irish
citizen is we'll shown in a little
incident which an American
friend related to me:
| 81 was invited in Dublin to spend
the evening at the home of a prom
inent Irishman. There were sever
al other guests and drinks were be-
| ing served. My host asked me
what I would have. l replied that
Scotch and soda would suit me
admirably. The host turned alb
Esolutely white with anger.
| sScotch?' he snapped at me.
! Scotch? What's the matter with
a bit of good Irish whisky?'
81 hastily explained that was
using Scotch as a generic term
and certainly Irish whisky would
be fine, but it was several minutes
before my hosts face regained its
color"