1 5/5/16 Ulster Club,
Belfast. My dear Ned I think you may be interested to
hear the impressions of a friend who
was "held up" in the North. I was
at Newcastle Co. Down until Friday,
and have been in Belfast for
a week. There was some unrest in the
outlying border counties, but, otherwise,
Ulster and Belfast have been
absolutely tranquil — without 2 any signs of excitement except an
occasional rush for newspapers.
Tranquility This has been due in, my opinion,
mainly to three causes. First there
is absolute confidence in your
leadership — and, when the ship's
company have confidence in the
man at the wheel, they are
able to be cool and collected. Secondly men like Colonel Shannon
Crawford and Wallace have
used their influence actively
and successfully with good
results. — Thirdly General
Hackett-Payne and the
Police Commissioner Smith
have both made excellent
arrangements and have
worked well together. I have no doubt that the 3 Nationalist leaders used good
influence— but I had no
opportunity of discussing it— I never met Smith before.
He seems to be a capable man
with firmness and discretion—
two qualities badly wanted
just now in this distrustful country. I return to Dublin today. —
I liked your speech about Birrell.
It was generous and big-hearted to
a fallen foe. Yours ever
D P Barton 4 5 6 7