THERE was a large and representative attendance at the funeral of Mr Archie MacDonald, Castlecaulfield, Co Tyrone whose death took place in Dungannon District Hospital.
The late Mr MacDonald was prominently identified with the Irish Republican movement and had acted as adjutant with the Second Battalion, Number one Brigade, 2nd Northern Division, old IRA. He took part in many engagements in the war of Independence in Tyrone. He also took part in the Civil war in Co Donegal. With others, he escaped from Newbridge Camp (Co Kildare) in 1922.
The funeral Mass, which took place in St Joseph's Church, Galbally, was celebrated by the Rev e Crilly, CC. Members of the GAA, Gaelic League and other organisations were present at the funeral, the remains being borne by the deceased's comrades.
Interment took place in Galbally with the prayers being recited in Irish at the graveside by the Rev e Devlin, CC, Donaghmore.
A large force of police remained in the graveyard during the interment.
Mr MacDonald is survived by his widow and four children.
Nine Living in One-Roomed House
To the Editor 'STRABANE Rural Council yesterday received nineteen applications for a labourer's cottage at Drumany. It decided to let it to a soldier who is at present serving in the forces; his wife and children were residing in one room. Some of the other applicants, included a sapper serving in Holland whose wife and daughter are living with three other adults in a condemned two-roomed house; and a serving soldier, whose wife and six children slept in one room measuring twelve feet by six feet.'
The above is a resume of the report which appeared in the press and which appears to have aroused no emotion of horror, anger or pity in any heart. And so the sapper and numerous other husbands serving in the forces may look forward to greeting their families in homes such as these. Truly a homecoming fit for heroes! For all who are suffering from lack of houseroom - the newlywed and others - keen sympathy is felt, but the case of soldiers' families cries to Heaven for special and immediately national redress.
H Horner Mayne, elmwood Avenue, Belfast.
US Plan for Japan
DETAILS of what it calls a new six point Plan 'to make Japan militarily and politically impotent by stripping her of key industrial areas and reducing her to a predominantly agricultural nation after the war, were reported in a Washington despatch yesterday.
The plan, developed by the US Treasury Department, was said to envisage Japan being stripped of all her imperial possessions and left only with her main islands. Manchuria, the heart of her industrial might, would go to China or perhaps Russia, depending on the latter's future action in the Far east. All armament industries are to be eliminated and the machinery of war removed to adjacent regions, especially China.
Edited by Eamon Phoenix e.phoenix@irishnews.com