America’s Request to Eire.
From the beginning of the war the neutrality of Southern Ireland has placed Britain at a disadvantage in respect to her enemies. De Valera proclaims that his country is strictly neutral. Theoretically that may be true, it certainly is not true in practice. The very geographical position of Eire gives all the advantage to the Axis powers. On the eve of invasion, when it is all the more necessary to keep the movement of Allied troops secret, that advantage assumes serious proportions. On that account the request of the American President asking for the closing of the German and Japanese Legations in Dublin was only just and reasonable.
De Valera’s Refusal.
By his refusal to comply with America’s request De Valera not only favours the enemies of Britain, but acts with inexcusable discourtesy towards America, and leaves his own country open to reprisals, the effect of which may be felt for many years to come. Neither Britain or America are likely soon to forget this incident.
Britain’s Reaction.
The reaction of the British Government was not long delayed. Although the ban placed upon travel between Britain and Ireland will impose hardship on many, yet in view of all the circumstances it has been warmly welcomed, not only at home but in America and also in all the British Colonies.
The interest of this Magazine in the above incidents is simply to point to them as one further illustration of Roman Catholic hostility to British interests. It is also cause for thankfulness that the British authorities are sufficiently alive to the danger, if not from a religious, at least from a military point of view.
Rescue of an Idol.
The Italian people are to be pitied for the terrible plight into which their political leaders have brought them. They are far more to be pitied for the spiritual plight into which their religious leaders have plunged them. We are informed that during the recent eruption of Vesuvius, the lava flowing down the mountain side threatened to engulf a school (presumably a Roman Catholic school) on the edge of the village of San Sebastian. In order to prevent its destruction nuns placed a figure of the Madonna, with out-stretched arms, in front of the oncoming lava. Instead of sparing the school, however, the Madonna itself had to be saved by policemen. It seems incredible in these “enlightened” times that people should be so much under the power of delusion as to indulge in practices which we associate with the darkest ages of European history. How thankful we in Britain should be for the Reformation, when in the mercy of God we were delivered from such soul-destroying superstition. And this is what Roman Catholicism would bring to us! May the Lord forbid!
Rebuff for the Anti-Sabbatarians.
It is with profound satisfaction and thankfulness to God we learn that the forces of evil, in their efforts to secularise the Sabbath Day, are not having things all their own way. Our readers will remember that a motion to open theatres on the Lord’s Day was debated in open Parliament in 1941 and, in the mercy of God, defeated. Not content, however, with their defeat on that occasion the Anti-Sabbatarians returned to the attack early this year, led, of all people, by a minister, the Rev. R. Sorensen, M.P. The Government refused to re-open the question and this decision was announced on February 3rd by the Home Secretary. All lovers of the Lord’s Day will welcome the Government’s decision.