"Contumacious Ulster"

The Premier stated in the House of Commons that Mr. Justice Feetham, member of the South African Supreme Court, had, with the full approval of the Government of South Africa, been appointed Chairman of the Irish Boundary Commission (TIME, May 5). This news was not greeted with enthusiasm by the North (Ulster). The Free State expressed its pleasure at the appointment but its displeasure at the delay which would be caused in awaiting the arrival of the Chairman. The appointment of Sir Adrian Knox, Chief Justice of Australia, to a committee of the Privy Council was also announced. Sir Adrian and his colleagues are to determine what legal course is to be taken in the event of Northern Ireland continuing to refuse to nominate its member on the Boun-'dary Commission. The North was again displeased, apparently because it fears that an unfavorable decision by the Council would be binding. The resignation of Premier Sir James Craig of Northern Ireland was forecast by political observers, but such an event seems hardly likely to help matters. The Manchester Guardian, one of the few British journals that has shown any perspicacity and common sense in commenting upon Irish affairs, said editorially: "We do not understand that there is any serious idea among British jurists that the treaty could be invalidated or thus any of its provisions legally frustrated by an act of disloyalty to the Imperial Parliament on Ulster's part. No citizen can repeal a law 'distasteful to him by disobeying it. "?--'-:t is quite intelligible that Mr. MacDonald may wish this governing principle to be laid down afresh, with all the authority which a verdict coming from the whole empire would give it. If, as the treaty act requires, he must, as a last resort, proceed with the appointment of the Boundary Commission and enforce its findings in the face of a contumacious Ulster, it is well that the judgment of the empire should have been expressed on the side of legality."