Many conflicting emotions will arise in the minds of thoughtful Irishmen as they open their newspapers this morning and realise that another year has started on its eventful journey. The future is veiled in mystery, but the doubts and trepidations which for years past have so strenuously assailed the conscientious student of contemporary Irish history are rapidly disappearing and many of them have already been relegated to the limbo of forgetfulness. In the face of a common and terrible danger, the country has been united as never before.
A big national problem will have to be tackled almost immediately. This is the attitude of Ireland in respect to compulsory military service. Viewed as a whole, Ireland has done well in the present crisis, but there is no denying the fact that she might have done a great deal better. A serious mistake was made in not applying the National Register to Ireland, as to other parts of the United Kingdom, and much trouble will be caused in repairing the difficulties created by that initial blunder. Had the Register been taken in Ireland, trustworthy data would have been available to show how far the young men have been shirking their reasonable responsibilities. The past year has proved that the men of all ranks in the Irish regiments are among the bravest and most gallant fighters to be met the world over, and it is earnestly to be hoped that Irishmen at home will not permit these regiments to be depleted to such an extent that their fighting value will be impaired. If the voluntary system fails to produce the necessary results, compulsion is the only alternative.
Viewed from the social and economic standpoint, the past year has been a successful and satisfactory one for Ireland. There has been no undue depression of any industry, though, as was to be expected, the textile trades of Ulster have been somewhat stagnant, and the outlook is still uncertain. But with their usual ingenuity and progressiveness the Ulster spinners and weavers have been able to turn their attention to other remunerative businesses, and the scarcity of flax and other raw material has not resulted in any serious unemployment. The ship-building, engineering, and allied trades are "booming," so that money is plentiful in Ulster and pauperism is virtually non-existent.
Despite the series of small and intermittent strikes which were almost continuous throughout the year, trade in Dublin has been good, and in some branches much above the normal. A good many important Army and Navy contracts have been secured, and the opening of the new munition factory will give considerable employment, more especially to women and girls.
In Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Wexford, and other Southern centres, trade has also been good. This has been brought about largely by the abundant prosperity of the Irish farmers.
There has been a wonderful change in the social life of the cities and towns of Ireland during the past year. Ladies who hitherto sent the greater portion of their time in amusement are now busily engaged in the more important work of relieving the sufferings of the Irish soldiers both at the front and in captivity, and in alleviating the wants and privations of their dependants at home.
Another feature of note has been the almost complete disappearance of serious crime in Ireland, which is now one of the most peaceful and law-abiding countries in the world. There has been an increase of drunkenness among women in some centres, but the remedial agencies at work have this evil in hand.
Probably the principle event of the year, apart from the war itself, is the totally unexpected manner in which women have come to the forefront in every imaginable position in connection with the industrial life of the nation. By her inherent ability, aptitude, and initiative, woman has shown herself capable of taking a very important part in the future life of the country.
Problems of Empire will arise immediately after the war in which Irishmen are certain to play a prominent part. Irishmen are most successful colonists, and thousands of Irishmen show grit, determination, and go-aheadedness in the Colonies which they would never have shown at home. This instinct and adaptability is certain to be encouraged and intensified by the fraternising of the home regiments with the men from the Colonies at the front.
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Selected by Joe Joyce; email fromthearchives@irishtimes.com
