On Sun, 25 Jan 2004 09:54:24 +0000, Presidente Alcazar
wrote:


In a country with just 3 merchant ships to keep it supplied thats not
surprising.

They didn't have 3 ocean-going ships until Lemass got going in 1942.

Even at that, they were little more than hulks.

Meanwhile, and afterwards, all Irisih imports crossed the German Uboat
blockade in British ships or ships in British-controlled convoys.

And at the very bottom of the UK priority list understandably.

I'm sure the British were terribly annoyed that Ireland remained
neutral during WWII.

Handing back the treaty ports in 1938 was a gross act of stupidity.

It just proved, once again, that appeasement didn't work. For all de
Valera's encouraging noises about how dealing with such "injustices"
would improve relations, the British lost in the exchange and gained
nothing in return.

A ludicrous decision which cost the lives of thousands both directly and
indirectly.


greg




--
You do a lot less thundering in the pulpit against the Harlot
after she marches right down the aisle and kicks you in the nuts.