153. First, Ireland has not expressed a position on the merits of the underlying dispute about the islands. 160, It may seem unlikely or even far-fetched to say that the limited war now under way in the South i IS Atlantic could spread more widely or involve other countries. But how unlikely it must have seemed to the world in 1914 that a single shot would echo and re- echo until an elaborate system of alliances toppled slowly into war. 161. Already, in a war that is still limited, there has been a tragic cost in human lives. The total of those killed until today was perhaps already equal to one third of the population of the islands. Today, it may be even more. The expenditures on each side so far are vastly greater than the total product of the islands for many years. If they could have been devoted to the welfare of the islanders, how great would have been the benefit to all concerned. 162. It is indeed tragic that there should have been such losses among the forces on both sides and per- haps among the islanders themselves. Nothing can now change that. But in another sense there is still time. We must always believe that there is still time. For its part, Ireland thinks it imperative that a halt be called now before the conflict escalates further and becomes open-ended. 163. I repeat with insistence that we are not indif- ferent. We stand strongly by the principles I have stated and we do not want to see an action which was originally unacceptable become accepted now as a firit rrtwmpli. We too believe that wrongful actions cannot be carried out with impunity. But there is no. question of that here. It is evident that all recent 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the ongoing conflict in the South Atlantic, its humanitarian and economic costs, and the call for a halt to the conflict. It does not touch on specific economic or industrial aspects, but rather focuses on the broader implications of the conflict on human lives and the principles of justice and non-indifference.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, International relations