better conditions for the advancement of the Irish struggle. Rather than striking a match, they prefer to curse the darkness.
Supporting the Irish Political Hostages Campaign, we still called upon us not let them off thie hook again. Labour, in office, up against the wall, will not be able to dangle any more taise promises before the Irish voters.
In that situation we would have the opportunity to convince many people that the road to Irish national liberation does not lie through winning concessions from Labour at Westminster. their real role. They ure serving the interests of the ruling class and not with them, any more than any trade unionist can side with policemen who SHAM PROVINCE In a situation where the army Is used to smash up the homes of workers in "arms searches", and where the army drags off men and women for torture and interment, it is only to be expocted that the Insh workers doyne and Bogside, in all the CathoAll the talk of Lahour and Tory role" of this multi-million pound warmachine fills on deaf cars in Ireland.
It was British imperialism which fostered and encouraged sectatian divNow the aums of the imperialists have changed, the protestant workers are not falling into line. Behind sireets at Heathrow ruling class. ariny, the loyalist para-military armies have heen able to grow and develop. It is preciely the pres ence of this army in the North of treland that emboldens the loyalist workers in these actions.
These protestant workers in the last analysis tall in on the side of British imperialism. As Glen Barr, a leader of the Ulster Workers" Council, explained when he withdrew his candidature in Derry in Tavour of one of West, Craig and Paisley's "fur-coat brigade': The Official Unionist at least supports the Union, whereas the SDLP candidate stands for a uniled Ireland.' British workers cannot afford to find themselves on the side of these backward protestant workers. The price for doing this would be suocess for Powell in his viciousiy anti-workIng class plans. In the present crisis of British capitalism the workers of Britain cun only ignore the struggle CTS. of the trish workers at their peril.
ARMY OPERATIONS
The period up to and incuding the present has been marked by well rehearsed and well planned police and army opcrations. This has been the case since the tornation -under Labour-of the police Special Patrol Group which has now added Kevin Gately to its list of victims. There have also been the well publicised attempts to accustom the Britich workers to thie sight of troops on the Now there is all the talk of private armies even sanctified by leading Torjes. The press may pass these eccentricities off as Dad's Army" operations, and indeed they are less of an immedlate threat than the thousands of al ready existing private security organisations, Bul what they do reveal is the discussion now taking place in the coteries ard exclusive clubs of the Even the sober Timer now discusses seriously the possibility and pros and cons of a military government. Through by anotler, they leave the door wide open for people like Poweil.
Powell's re-emergenco from a base across the frish sca is u step in a patlent and long drawn-out aim co desti roy the organised British working class overent. The ruling class may not need him now, but be knows that as the crisis intensifies they will increasingly look favourably on whist he has to offer. His cynical support for Labour is a reactionary interpretalion of "the rope that supports the hanging man'.
That is why we say that Labour's bi-partisan non-policy in Ireland serves only the ruling class and is preparing a terrible bloodbath for both the Irish and British working class We say in this clection, as we have done consistently: withdraw the troops now. They are not keeping the peace. On the contrary they prolong the wat, and deepen the split between protestant and catholic work The presence of the troops assists the protestant ultras to arm and tearm, and increases the danger of defeat for the catholic workers Yet it is only when the latter ure succestul in their struggle, when the protestant workers have finally been convinced that they cannot continue to improve theit miserable lot at the expense of the catholic workers, that there will be any real chance for unity of the Northern reland working class.- That would indeed be a major step on the road to socialism in Britain and in treland.
PROVOS RAIDED Red Weekiy has rocciveu the followine communication from the Irish Republi can information Service:
On Friday 13 September, 1974, the office of the Irish Republican Informa tion Service was raided by fifty members of the secret political police (Special Branch) of the Southern Govctment. The office, which is housed in the premises of the Movement's weekly newspaper An Phoblachz, was ransacked and all the maaiting lists, files and office equipment were removed by the raiding The editor of An Phoblachr, memben of his staff, and a girl who manages the internees" craft shop were arrested. This atest act of suppression of the Republican vies point cane as a direct result of talks between Prime Ministers Wilson and Cosgrave the previous evening in Loe We appeal to you in the interest of freedom of speech and freedom of edit arial comment to express your solidarity sed extend your help to us in these repressive circumstances by writing a let fer of protest to the Department of Foreige Affair, Freagh House, St. Stepien's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Rod Weekly 26 September 1934 Page 5