- 108 - MEMORANDUM ON THE STATE OF IRELAND NEUTRALITY Under Mr. de Valera's leadership, Irish neutrality had become a synonym for Irish Independence. Notice has, in effect, been served on all political opponents of the the case of James M. Dillon, who resigned from his Party, t Although all shades of political opposition, with the exception of Dillon, subscribe to the de Valera policy, there is evidently anxiety among the Fianna Fail leaders lest, in the event of general elections, discussion break out and the advisability of neutrality, both as a short- range and long-range policy be seriously questioned. Operating as it does to handicap the common defense of the two Islands, the transport of supplies which maintain Irish economy, and to intrench German intelligence and Fifth Column agencies on Irish soil, the effect of Irish neutrality is overwhelmingly in the interest of the Axis Powers. This a great many of the more intelligent Irish people know to be a fact, which puts them on the defensive and troubles the conscience is almost unanimous. Among the lunatic fringe of Irish Natio AMERICAN TROOPS IN NORTHERN IRELAND , and has made him appear again as the champion of Irish Nat |