TUESDAY saw the inauguration of an entirely new departure in British government. It is the birth of the neutral zone – a ‘No man’s land’ of upwards of 100 square miles in the famous Pettigo-Belleek salient, between Fermanagh and Donegal.

It is an experiment in civil administration which, so far as Ulster and the Free State are concerned may have far-reaching results.

At the weekend the British, Ulster and Free State governments agreed upon the expedient of establishing this ‘No man’s land’ as a method of overcoming the difficulties of a twisting frontier, which had led to Irish ‘internationals’ differences.

As a matter of fact, at this particular part of the Ulster-Free State Border, the frontier wanders so aimlessly that in a short journey of 20 miles, it is possible to cross from state to state many times. And so, in the truly Irish way, something has been taken from both sides to make everybody happy.

The zone is about 20 miles long and five miles broad, two-and-a-half miles at each side of the Border being, as it were, de-nationalised and held by a ‘foreign power’ – England

This strip of land will be under British military control, as distinct from martial law, but police by an ‘international’, unarmed police, those owing allegiance to the Free State being responsible for the maintenance of order in the two-and-a-half miles strip on their side of the Border, while the Royal Ulster Constabulary will keep the peace on their side of the line.

Whether Free Staters or Ulstermen, they will wear a brassard, but instead of the royal cipher, the letter ‘Z’ will appear on the armlet.

Civil administration will be exactly the same as at present, each state being responsible for its territory.

The only thing absolutely taboo are firearms of all descriptions – except, of course, those in the possession of the keepers of the ring: the British Tommies.