Salonika Migrations

The following description of the Greek city of Salonika featured in a novel by Philip Kerr:  Greeks Bearing Gifts (2018, paperback edn. pp161-3).  It is notable for its description of Jewish migrations.   Many Jews fled the Ottoman Empire after being implicated in separatist revolts—stirred up by Britain and its allies during World War One—with … Continue reading Salonika Migrations

President Connolly Warns of Global Shift To “Might is Right” In First Overseas Speech

20.4.26 Intro to The Journal's report by a retired Swedish trade union official who worked at the ICTU for a while and is now living in Ireland: "Irish President Catherine Connolly met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. She attended the important international meeting in Barcelona to defend democracy. A meeting in which Mexican President … Continue reading President Connolly Warns of Global Shift To “Might is Right” In First Overseas Speech

Government And ‘Neutrality’— Letters

Government And 'Neutrality' Micheál Martin’s description of the failure to report US military overflights as “not normal” raises fundamental questions: what is now considered “normal” in Ireland’s approach to neutrality, and where does constitutional accountability lie? (“Failure to report US overflights ‘not normal’,” Politics, April 21st). Under Article 28 of the Constitution, executive power is … Continue reading Government And ‘Neutrality’— Letters

Organised Labour

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE GENERAL STRIKE (UK) The General Strike of 1926 In 1925, the year before the General Strike, the Conservative Party—led by Stanley Baldwin—replaced the Labour Government.  That had been the first ever Labour Government in the UK:  it was a minority administration holding less than 200 seats in a 700 seat … Continue reading Organised Labour

Labour Comment

James Connolly  Some Rambling Remarks (The Irish Worker-Christmas Edition1912) NO ONE at all acquainted with Ireland at the present can doubt that the country is feeling the throbs accompanying the birth of great movements. Everywhere there are stirrings of new life—intellectual, artistic, industrial, political, racial, social stirrings are to be seen and felt on every … Continue reading Labour Comment