Macaskill, where are you?

Who exactly is this man Iain Macaskill?. Under that byeline, articles have consistently appeared in the ‘Evening News', the feeble organ that supplies mindless fodder for ards of the general British press, are particularly vicious on Irish matters.

For instance, the April 10th edition prominently displayed the revelation that "London pub collections pay for Provos" war". This story centered around the delicate sensibilities of four English people who chose apparently to drink in a Hammersmith pub, the Prince of Wales Minding their own business, they were approached, according to Mr. Macaskill, by three men who told them they were collecting for the Provisional IRA. Shock, horror, the gallant four were appalled and refused to donate.

The vicious twist in the story comes when the landlord is named, though he was allowed to deny knowledge of the collections. This is reminiscent of the approach taken early last year by English journalist James MacManus, then for the Daily Express (though now he is a favoured 'liberal' on the Guardian), _when he pilloried the landlord of the Albany pub near Great Portlan Street. :

Clann na hEireann had held a press® conference there to explain their the suburbs, which even by the stand- stand after the Aldershot explosion, ® and MacManus' subsequent malicious bile against the pub succeeded in having the landlord sacked within a week by owners Watney Mann.

However, back to Mr Macaskill. To make the point, he wrote: "The four customers were adamant: 'The collections did take place'. And although they-wish to remain anonyMous at the moment, they are + prepared to testify in court what they saw".

The week before, ace news-hound Magaskill decided that the letter bomb explosions in the Post Offices at Kilburn and Paddington were definitely IRA outrages, and wrote that Scotland Yard were acting on this assumption. The fact that Scotland ‘Yard emphatically denied such a connection did not deter Macaskill from his important. work.

So again, who are you, Mr Macaskill? There are many of us who would warmly welcome the opportunity to meet you. David Mulchahy Monday 7th May.

LONDON SW5.

I.S. IRISH FORUM SPEAKER JEFF BELL LONDON N.15. intellectuals and the working class? Why did MacLean refuse to join the Communist Party of Great Britain? What was the detailed background to this important aspect of the history of the working class movement in Britain? Why did MacLean, almost alone, place the national struggle of Ireland between 1919 and 1921 at the centre of his propaganda and agitation? What lessons can we draw for the attitude of contemporary revolutionaries to the present round of struggle in Ireland? Why did MacLean call for a Worker's Republic of Scotland? Can a nationalist stance in Scotland and Wales be consistent with a socialist programme?

Let this year be "John MacLean Memorial Year". There should be a series of activities to commemorate his work, to promote the publication of his writings, and to promote the broadest possible discussion about the man and his ideas. The John MacLean Society in Scotland has decided to organise activities in MacLean's native country, and now a Commoration,Committee has been set up in London. A coloured poster has been provided, and a public meeting has been arranged for November 30th at the Conway Hall where Harry McShane has agreed to speak. We appeal to you to support the Committee, attend it's meetings and help set in motion it's activities.

The next meeting of the ‘John MacLean Commemoration Committee’ ‘will take place at the 'General Picton' Public House, Caledonian Road, King's Cross, at 7.45 pm. on Yours fraternally, Altstatr Remick. 28 Lammas Park Road London W.5 IRISH POLITICAL PRISONERS ‘Appeal for books and magazines to send to Internees in Ireland.

Please send any spare books or papers (particularly political)

or donations for same, to MIKE SCOTT, 16 WETHERBY GDNS, "THE PROTESTANT WORKING CLASS‘ In the ROEBUCK pub, Tottenham Court Road, London WI (Warren Street Tube). FRIDAY APRIL 27th, 7.30pm.

PLEASE HELP TO MAKE THE INFORMATION ON LOCAL. ACTIVITIES IN FREE IRELAND AS COMPLETE AS POSSIBLE. SEND ANY DETAILS OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS INTO THE EDITOR AT 88 ROSEYN ROAD comrades in Oxford may help readers to arrange local mobilisations for the May 19 Conference: In Oxford they plan to 1.Set up an ad-hoc organising committee to draw in local Irish opganisations- union leaders, jtrades council, Council of Action in an attempt to win delegates. Also local political organisations,student groups ip both the University and Poly, tenants committees, womens groups etc. 2.Arrange public meetings,plus leafleting, etc. 3.Arrange model resolution to be put to as many organisations as possible, together with propagandayfor the Conference. 4.Arrange transport and accommodation for delegates. 5.Press the need to continue the work after the Conference, within the forces mobilised for it.

### CENTRAL LONDON AIL

Regular fortnightly Forums and discussions on aspects of Irish history and the current struggle. Held at the General Picton Pub, Caledonian Road, London NI (King's Cross Tube) on Fridays at 8pm.

APRIL 27th: Sean MatGamna on Connolly's ‘Labour in Irish History’.

MAY llth:Panel of speakers on the role of the British Troops in Ireland.

MAY 25th: Peter BeresfordEllis on the Irish Radical Tradition. , Full Colour Poster at 30p each, including postage, or 10 for £2.25. Orders to ALASTAIR RENWICK, 28 LAMMAS PARK ROAD, EALING, LONDON WS.

° STIRLING AIL SCHOOL ON THE WHITE PAPER AND THE BRITISH ARMY To be held in Stirling University on Sunday May 6th MAIN SPEAKERS INVITEDMike Farrell PD Belfast Eddie McWilliams Leeds IS Bob Purdie-Nat.Organiser AIL DETAILS from Stirling University AIL,c/o C.S.A.

University of Stirling.

FREE IRELAND MAY 1973 PAGE SEVEN