Sir, - The Irish problem concerns us all so I would like to bring the following to your attention. The Orangemen claim to celebrate a victory by William III of Orange over the Catholics 300 years ago, by parading every year. I am Dutch and the Dutch are ruled by the House of Orange of which William III was a member. All members of the House of Orange so far are Protestant but things are changing. Queen Beatrix has three sisters: Princess Irene has married a Catholic; Princess Christina has married a Catholic; Princess Margaret's eldest son married a Catholic girl about seven weeks ago. And Crown Prince William Alexander is going to marry a Catholic girl.
When all the latest descendants of William III of Orange are marrying Catholics, is there any reason to hold on to the name of being an Orangeman? Is there any reason to provoke the Catholics? Irish Orangemen can do one of two things: either stick to outdated principles which have been left behind by the House of Orange, and fight the Catholics whenever and wherever they can; or honour the House of Orange from William III of Orange onwards, include the changes, recognise that faith itself is more important than anything, and recognise that a minor deviation of the marching route for a period of time is not the most important issue, but faith and peace are. - Yours, etc., N. Boeroma,
The Netherlands.