guish us from England. It is a mark of that
separateness which it is the business of every Nationalist to
maintain and emphasise on every possible occasion. It is one
of the signs--perhaps the chief sign--of nationality.... The
Irish language is a weapon in our fight against England, and
we cannot afford to throw away even the smallest weapon that
may serve us in that struggle."

And the policy of the League as regards the primary schools is made
quite clear by the resolution passed unanimously at their annual
meeting in 1912:--

"That we re-affirm the demand of the last Ard Fheis in regard
to the position of Irish in the primary schools, viz., that
Irish be the sole medium of instruction in the Irish-speaking
districts; that it be the medium as far as possible in all
other schools, and that it be a compulsory subject in every
school throughout the country where parents are not opposed
to it; furthermore, that a knowledge of Irish be required from
all teachers entering for training as teachers, and that no
certificate be issued to those who fail to qualify in Irish at
the final examination, and that none but inspectors having a
knowledge of Irish be employed to inspect schools where Irish
is taught."

It will be seen therefore that if the League carry their point (as
no doubt they will under a Home Rule Government) no graduate of the
Belfast University who wishes to become a teacher in a Belfast school
will be allowed to do so unless he passes an examination in a language
which not one of his pupils will ever wish to learn; and this, not for
the purpose of ensuring general culture, but to further a political
object with which he has no sympathy.

The League leave no stone unturned in their efforts to substitute the
Irish for the English language. For instance, it is usually considered
in other countries that the names of the streets of a town are put
up in order to help people who want to find their way, and not for
political reasons. But in Dublin, where not one per cent. of the
people can read Irish, the names have recently all been painted up in
that language, in the hope of de-Anglicizing the rising generation. An
incident occurred recently which will show how the movement is being
taken up. There is in Dublin an excellent regulation that children
may not become "street traders" without a licence. A bright little boy
came to apply for one.