Helplessness in Ireland

Last week, by playing at war in Ulster, the British indicated that they expect Ireland to be invaded. By the way the games went, they indicated also that there is not much to be done about it.

The maneuvers foresaw a successful enemy landing in neutral Eire. The invading "Hessians" then supposedly attacked Ulster, aiming for an imaginary secret munitions plant in Belfast. Besides testing both invaders and defenders on tactics, the games were intended to exercise the armies' logistical services: kitchens, ammunition details, supply corps, ambulance units. Actual battle conditions were feigned in every detail, right down to fifth columnists who lent boats to the invaders so that they might cross the huge inland lake, Lough Neagh, and, though seasick, encircle the bungling defenders.

Fifth columnists need not have been feigned. Eire is crammed with British-hating Irish and, since the border between Ulster and Eire is wide open, the Dublin German Legation sent many "observers" across to watch the games--and take notes on British techniques and tools. "We know we are being spied on continuously," said a General Staff officer, "but what can we do about it?"

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