Ireland, I submit, is necessary to Europe, is essential to Europe, to-day she is retained against Europe, by a combination of elements hostile to Europe and opposed to European influence in the world.

Her strategic importance is a factor of supreme weight to Europe and is to-day used in the scales against Europe.

Ireland is appropriated and used, not to the service of European interests but to the extension of anti-European interests.

The _arbitium mundi_ claimed and most certainly exercised by England is maintained by the British fleet, and until that power is effectively challenged and held in check it is idle to talk of European influence outside of certain narrow continental limits.
The power of the British fleet can never be permanently restrained until Ireland is restored to Europe.

Germany has of necessity become the champion of European interests as opposed to the world domination of England and English-speaking elements.