From Our Own Correspondent DUBLIN.
A tremendous intensification of the war is the expectation determining the policy of the Irish Government. Urgent appeals have been made by Ministers for a redoubling of production in food and other necessaries; for, said Mr. Sean Lemess on Sunday, Ireland is now the most closely blockaded country in Europe. One belligerent was sinking everything in the waters on the way to us; but " in the case of Great Britain action by design has only recently occurred "—alluding, presumably, to the curtailment of petrol and other supplies obtained hitherto by British concession.
" We in this country have a right to be neutral in this conflict if we so decide," Mr. Lemass said. " We have a right to expect that the belligerents will take care to ensure that of the thousands of bombs falling from the skies around us, none will fall upon our territory. We have a right to expect that neutral ships carrying cargoes to our ports, will not be interfered with on the high seas. We have thousands of rights, but rights alone arc poor protection for small States when great Empires go to war."
SYMPATHY FOR ENGLAND
Mr. Frank Aiken, Minister for Co-ordination of Defence, spoke even more gravely of the Government's expectation. " We are living," he said, " in times of the most violent and revolutionary changes the world has ever seen. It is a heart-rending sight to see great and powerful nations using modem technique for mutual destruction of life and property rather than for co-operative effort to raise the standard of material and cultural ilif?..But, while we sympathise deeply with the people of our neighbouring island and of the Continent, there is, unfortunately, nothing we can do to stop the frightful slaughter and destruction.
" We can only pray that God will enlighten the Statesmen of the great Powers so that they may call an armistice, before everything is destroyed, for the purpose of arranging a lasting peace based on hislice, charity and co-operation.
" There is, however, no indication that such an armistice can be arranged, but rather every sign that this war will become even more violent and widespread."
NEW SUBURBS IN DUBLIN The Archbishop of Dublin has made num• tiers of clerical changes. Two new parishes are formed, one at Crunilin on the south side of the Irish capital, the other at Crumlin on the north side.