EDITED BY ·EOIN MAC NEILL. Vol. 2.
SATURD~Y,
No. 70 (New Series).
NOTES
I
Last week I wrote about the Government's illegal Proclamations of December, 1913. For a year and a half the Liberal Home Rule· Government had placed no obstacle in the way of English Unionists who were fomenting and financing the organisation of "Civil War" in Ireland. So long as arming and drilling meant no more than that Irishmen, with the aid of English money, English politicians and the English Press, should prepare_ to disgrace the name of Ireland with a bloody outbreak against Irishmen-just so long there was no serious interference . The right to organise, train and arm "for the perpetuation of hatred,'' was fully established by the consent of both· English parties. But ,when a body of. Irishmen, seeing this, determined to use the same right, not for a bloody feud, not for a " massacre " in Ireland, not for the perpetuation of hatred, but "to secure and maintain the liberties common to all the people of I re!and, ,,. the Liberal Home Rule Government immediately took alarm and launched its two illegal Proclamations against the importations of arms into Ireland. This step was taken within a week of the first public meeting in Dublin for the organisation of the Irish Volunteers. The instrument chosen for the repression of Irish liberty was the English Privy Council, meeting in Buckingham Palace. Observe the Home Rule spirit and the British Democra tic spirit and method of a Liberal Home Rule Ministry when the mere Irish are concerned. There is no discussion in Parliament, no preparation of the public mind. There is a secret interchange of views between Party leaders, followed by an Imperial ukase from Buckingham Palace. +:·
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It was the same instrument of legislation for Ireland, the English Privy Council in Buckillgham Palace, that empowered the English military government in Ireland to banish by forcible deportation from Ireland any Irishman who, in the opinion of Major Price, the Inspector of Police chosen by Mr. Birrell to be Chief Intelligence Officer . and political adviser to General Friend, may suitably be deprived of liberty with. out any form of trial. By the i:;ame token, I again remind the public that Mr. Birrell, having gone through the solemn farce of dismissing Mr. W . V. Harrell for the failure 6f his projected coup at Howth and Clontarf, afterwards made amends by assigning Mr . Harrell as Intelligence Officer and political adviser · to the Imperial Naval Authority in Ireland . * * The illegal Proclamations of December, 1913, - was Mr. Redmond consulted about the.m ?- if they failed in thefr immediate object, the quenching of the Irish Volunteer Movementhnevertheless rendered a signal service to t e Liberal Home Rule Ministry; before that Ministry they placed Messrs. Redmond, Dillon, Devlin and O'Connor, claiming to be National leaders, in the position of leaders of a faction, men who were willing to acquiesce in the use of English coercioµ .and the straining of English authority as an earthwork protecting them in their jealous fear of the exercise of Irish liberty by Irishmen. 'T hese men were thus manceuvred into a position which Parnell,· with his clear insight into English policy, never consented to occupy. They became, and have ever since remained, the allies of an English Government against Nationalist Irishmen.
It was only a year or two before this that Mr. Redmond, in his responsible capacity as leader of the Irish Party, had warned the Irish people to " trust · no British Government." When the Government showed its hand in the Arms Proclamations, I foresaw the danger that the Irish Party might be manceuvred into a false position. Towards them, of course, the Government could pretend that the Proclamations were .directed against the Unionist menace of "Civil War." That pretence can ·no lo_nger be ma,de. T!ie whole public would laugh at it. My opportumty came at the moment . The " Daily Independent " and the "Irish Times" sent representatives to interview me on the subject of the Proclamations. In their offices, apparently, : there. was not much illusion about the real purpose of the Government. Both papers published my statement, the whole object of which was ·to prevent the Irish Party or the Irish People from being circumvented by the Government manceuvres. I pointed out in plain words that an English Pro-
APRIL 8th, 1916.
PRICE ONE PENNY.
clamation against the importation · of arms into · discover, what he now refus-es to recognise, that the r uin of Ireland is tclo great a price to pay for Ireland, no maHer under what pretence, was a piece of special legislation directed towards the the gratitude of the Briti"sh Democracy and repression · of liberty in · Ireland, in principle Oligarchy. Wait and see! -lEii:· * identical ' with all the Coercion Acts enacted Forewarned is forearmed. The Irish memagainst Irish liberty since the Union, and that any Irish Nationalist who would countenance bers of Parliament are the servants of the Irish such a measure would be false to the principles People. It is their duty to obey the mandater and professions of Irish Nationalism. · I also not to give it. Twice ·.already, during Mr. Red· said that the Proclamations were, in themselves, mond's leadership, the people have enforced illegal and invalid, an abuse of authority by the their mandate against the leader, and the ·Party has survived. In fact,· the Party reached its Liberal and Democratic Government . maximum of efficiency when it was forced to re*' * * ject the Councils Bill, and it is now reduced to The " Freeman's Journal" did not ask me for my view, but it got it, neverthele's s, and got it impotence because Mr. Redmond has succeeded promptly. I may say that there was not one of for the time in setting up a sort of dictatorship, the supporters of Mr . Redmond, including a dictated dictatorship. Mr . Redmond says that myself, on the Provisional· Committee of the I am trying to undermine the Irish Party. If Irish Volunteers, who was not deeply convinced he accused me of trying to underprop it, he at this time and afterwards of the thorough might be nearer the mark. It is he him.self who hostility of the Liberal Home Rule Government is undermining it . to the Irish Volunteer movement, during the * * He also says - I am a " Pro-German." TO' winter of 1913-1914. I can supply the proof. which I reply, that if ever the Kaiser becomes * * * It followed that Mr. Redmond, Mr. Dillon and master of the situation in Ireland, the very Mr. Devlin did not openly support the new people who are now howling "Pro-German"- · Coercion. I cannot answer for Mr. T . P. O'Con- · Unionists not excepted-will be as servile to-· nor, whose publications I am not in the habit of wards Germany as they now are towards thereading. But they all gave their tacit support present Predominant Partner. I will take a to the Government Proclamations, and from that figure of speech from Geoffrey Keating. I dohour they were beaten men. The Government not accept it as the destiny of Ireland, my mother had found out their weakness and held them in country, to play the harlot to any alien Powerr the hollow of its hand. Within four months of and I do not envy the son of Ireland who takes· the Proclamation surrender, the Government upon himself the office of procurer. * * ·Xforced the Partition surrender on them, and -the Mr. Redmond knows exactly, no man betterr Nationalists of Ulster were sacrificed to the fears of men who, when they were put to the test, what the value is of this taunt of Pro-Gershowed the Government that th ey stood for a manism. Mr. Redmond never discovered the terrible menace of Germany until an English faction and not for a Nation. * ·Y.· I +:Ministry began to shape his utterances. During. The fact that the Nation, in spite of Mr. Red- all those years before the war, while England and mond's secret counsels, adopted the Volunteer Russia, those great champions of iiberty, were movement, · only drove Mr. Redmond farther preparing to save us from Prussian 012pression, into the morass of faction and into the toils of not one word about Prussianism and the German Liberal diplomacy. When the -underhand at- menace ever escaped t~e lips of Mr. Redmond. tempts to discourage the Irish Volunteers had Never, till Irishmen were wanted to clear the plainly failed, Mr. Redmoi;i.d, long before he {:ame way for attack and to hold the ground for reinto the open, adopted an equally underhand treat, was a word about the German menacepolicy of getting control of the very movement heard in any League branch or Board of Erin which he had sought to discourage. If proof is lodge. When Mr. Redmond says I am a prorequired, again I can supply it. And it is the German, he n<? doubt feel~ he is piling up that " debt of gratitude," and if it accords with his self same Mr. Redmond who, at the dictation of his English masters, now in a public letter to code of honour, I am satisfied to · note the fact ;: and if I say that the present scale of Imperial Mr. Governey, charges me TI"ith " di§honesty,'' because I sa:v tha t the present war taxation in- taxation means the ruin of Ireland, and if Mr. Redmond can find ri.o better answer than "Yah r volves the ec'onomic ruin of Ireland. you are a pro-German,'' I am also satisfied t<Y * That is a very plain statement. I say that if keep the two statements before the Irish public Ireland is taxed on t he present scale for the as long as may be necessary. pei·iod during which th,e present scale or a ~arger There is, ·hpwever, another aspect of this scale is anticipated or1. all hands to hold for British taxation, then (Ireland will be economi- servile t aunt which must be plain enough to Mr. cally ruined. I say t,h at for Ireland and for Redmond himself. When he says that I am a Irishmen• this is a far . graver matter than any pro-Germarr, he encourages his allies in the proImperial interest whatsoever. It is not going to gra:r_nme of pros~cution, arbitrary imprisonment, be stifled by the catchwords of faction . The same bamshment, perJury and all tb,e rest of it against machinery is now at work to suppress the agita- my comrades, the officers of the Irish Volunteers, tion against ruinous taxes as was at work in the and he makes himself responsible for all that . winter of 1913-1914 to suppress the Volunteer programme. We have in Ireland at present both movement. That attempt failed . This attempt a part of what Mr. Redmond calls "Ireland's will fail. When the attempt to suppress the army,'' mainly officered b:v Unionists who have' Volunteers failed, Mr. Redmond, with the British not been converted and have no intention of Government at his back or on his back, tried being converted to the " debt of 0crratitude" to take ·c harge of the Volunteer Movement . doctrine. We have also a large body of English "Ninety five per cent .,'' he announced in one of troops under English officers. 1'17e can remember his august manifestoes, "i;tine_ty-five per cent." the state of things in these militarist circles this of the · then unarmed Volunteers - were at his time two years ago, when there was no war witlr bidding. The cry was raised then, as it is raised Germany, and remembering it we know that no. now, of "leave it to the Irish Party." In time, cry of "Pro-German" from Mr . Redmond ol' Mr. Redmond got all the control he wanted of a the "Freeman's Journal" is nece.ssai'y to arouse large body"of Volunteers, with the patronage and among these defenders of liberty and smarn commendation of the Goyernment. The combina- nations the feelings which were entertained in tion was too much for anything National. I am the same circles two years ago towards Irishmen far from gloating over it. Over and over again I who claim for Ireland the right of selfgovernhave advised National Volunteers-Mr. Red- ment. Some of these gentry are now going about: mond's section-if they believed in their position, slapping their canes against· their legs and sayto stick to their organisation and to get them- ing what they will do with Sinn· Feiners when selves trained and armed. Some of them have they get the chance, which, with all their martial done so, but most of them have succumbed to the ardour, they hope will not be anything like an blighting influences against which they were even chance.' Mr. Redmond, whom thev regard' powerless, because they could not understand. as a "blighter,'' is . obliging enough t~ choose' * -X· * language for their encouragement. •* * * , The movement to protect Ireland against economic ruin will make headway in spit·e of Four years ago, on the 31st of March; 1912r every influence, because it has truth and patriot- Mr. Redmond addressed an immense audience in ism on its side, like the Volunteer movement. O'Connell Street, Dublin, in support of the policy And when Mr. Redmond has failed to stifle it for which he held an electoral mandate. I was as 4e· failed to stifle the Volunteer mo.v~ment, h~ there to support him, and I spoke from one of will then endeavour to take · it under his wing, his platforms. On the same platform, another· as in · the case of the Volunteer movement, with speaker, who has .since become a supporter of the approval of Mr. Asquith. H e will quickly Mr. Redmond's Sharp Curve policy for which he-
Saturday, 'April 8th, 1916. · ·
THE IRISH VOLUNTEER.
2
has no electoral _mandate, . denounced the Irish "Daily Independent "-for what? ' For floatin~ HE.ADQUA~~ER_S B 'U LLETIN the Union J ack over its office in front of that platform. Now Mr. Ree'lmond can . addre.s s no meeting in Dublin that is not either a packed The Central Executive of the Irish Volunteers t:1on6L 'OO t'.>i .6.:S Com.6.111te :Snot.6. fetnne meeting .or a protected meeting-not ·tha t he is met at Headquarters on Wednesday evening, in any greater personal danger than that ' of f J.1L tn.6. n"Ounpottc .c11J.tn6n.6. "O. Ce.6.'tMotn, March 29ti1, Professor Eoin Mac Neill, President, being metaphorically hang.ad on a metaphorical .6.n 29.6.U tJ. 'Oe'n mJ.f1C.6., .6.:SUr .6.n C01'0e ·1n the chair. · sour appl e tree-qut because his_, c9nduct. no eotn m.6.c ne1Lt, U.6.CC.6.f1J.n, tn-.6. -c.6.t.6.0111te.6.c It was agreed that the President shouid speak longer . commands the respect of the people of Of1t.6.. . on b~half <;>f the Irish Volunteers at the pub.lie Dublin, and could receive .no show of respect "Oo h<1om::mseau :so t.6.\'.>f16c.6."0 .6.n · mMtmg with regard to the threatened banishfrom t hem . On, the other hand, I being a Noment of Volunteer Organisers . · · . b.ody, claiming no infaHibility, submitting my cU.6.CC.6.f1.6.n 1 n-.6.tnm n& fetnne &:S .6.n Several appointments of officers were appro_ved arguments to every criticism, expecting no votes · :sc11utnn1us.6.'0 pmbtroe 'Oo \'.>'iot&r -oo and arrangements made' with regard to the moveof confidence, can speak to .free, unpacked, un· ~ t10n6t&u 1 -oc.6.01\'.> -oibe.6.11t& c1mt111i n& ments of Organisers. . protected audiences of my fellow-citizens. The Com&111te. cause for wliich Mr. Redmond stands has a EA.S TER MANCEUVRES, 1916. . "Oo h&tnmmse.6.'6 11omnc 01p15e.6.c &:sur tio.emendous backing._ The.cause for whiCh I stand, General Orders. 'Ot::.6.01\'.> 1mte.6.cc n& ever since I parted company with Mr. Redmond, 'Oo roc.ttmse.6.'6 1. Following the lines of last )'ear, every unit has been steadily gaining ground, until now we 'O'G1mt1111. of the Irish Volunteers will hold Manceuvres l:iave -the Whigs in Ireland and the ·anti-Irish during the Easter Holidays. The obj8'ct of the Press of London acknowledging th,e fact and manceuvres is to test mobilisation · with equipshrieking'_ for otit suppression . . Why are we gainment. · ' -0.mmmste •. . ing ground? Two years ago we were not ·'·' t r ied 2. In Brigade Districts the Manceuvres will arid experienced men "-since then, many of tis -0.n t>uroe..1n Ce.6.nnu1r. be carried out under the orders of the Brigade have been t ried and some of us imprisoned withCommandants; in Battaljon Districts not yet t:1mt1111. out trial. ·We were wantimg in public capacity organised as Brigades, under the orders of the and in understanding of affairs . We were No-0.n d)5U.c e.6.11nJ.n 'Oe bt.6.S'O cum t'.>e1t Battalion Commandants; and in the case of Com~ bodies and brainless cranks. We had not the in& le.6.r-C&pi:::.6.on . panies not yt<t grouped into Battalions, under the }>ress on our side. We had no t wealth and -0.n c65tJ.c .\\1lr111'0 6 m utne.6.cJ.tn cum orders of the Company Commande_rs. In the case :' society" and go.v ernment machinery and of the_ Dublin Brigade, the Manceuvres will, ·as party machinery on our side . Yet those who are \'.>e1t tn& le.6.r-C.tip.6.on. year, be carried out ·under the direction of against us admit that we h ave gained ground and -0.n c6:stJ.c PJ.uN1c 6 b11.6.on<itn cum last the H eadquarters General Staff. · are still gaining ground, and they are plainly \'.>e1t m~ le.6.r-C.6.PC.6.on. 3. Each Brigade, Battalion; or Company · Com~ afraid that we shall gain the whole ground. So mander, as the case may be, will, on or before m1re, they demand that brute force shall come to the 1st May next, send to the Director of Organisaaid of angelic virtue and spotless truth and wipe p<5."0R.61C m-0.c Pl.6:R0.18, tion a detailed report on the Manceuvres carried us out of existence. out by his unit . ·' Cednn C.6.t.6., * . P. H . PEARSE, Commandant, . Rl.6.11<111'.le .6.n 0f1'0U15te • .At , the Mansion House meeting on Friday, I · Director of Organisation. said one thing that the daily papers did ·not reb6npo11c n.6. femne, Headquarters, 2 Dawson St., port, so ·I shall report it myself. .At the" trial" Dublin, 3rd .April, 1916. .6.t CL1.6.t, 3 -0.1b., 1916. of the Irish Volunteer Organisers in Belfast, the representatiye of the Competent Military .Authoi·ity, giving . evidence, said that, if he had his THE EASTER MANCEU'VRES. · way, the delinquent s would be deported to EngGener al Orders published this week indicate land, ~-here they would be treated as they deNOTES FROM HEADQUARTERS. the lines on which the Easter Manceuvres are to served. The English Pri"lly Council, which 'has be held. They are designed, as were last year's, now charge of Irish liberty, accordingly issued to test mobilisation; and m<;>bili~ation is to bEl THE ENEMY BLUNDERS. a ukase 'immediately afterwards, empowering the Since last- week's Notes from Headquarte.rs understood to inelude the making available of.11-U Competent Military .Authority to forcibly deport were written the enemy has ordered the two kid- the men's and all the Company equipment as unwilling Irishmen to England. The public will now under,stand the true meaning of deportation napped Organisers, Commandant Liam Mellows well as of the men themselves . Commanders to Engla'nd by Mr. Redmond's allies. We may and Lieutenant Ernest Blythe, to expatria te ~hould set to work immediately witb. the object themselves under threat of forcible expatriation. · of securing that the mobilisation be absolutely call it the Saxonia method. · .A _similar order has been given .. to a third complete and ' satisfactory. Later on,- at Whitsuntide, we can test some.other part of our train.At the Mansion House meeting, .Alderman Tom Organiser, Lieutenant .Alfred Monaghan, not yet Kelly charged a member of Parliament with kidnapped. The object of this piece of militarism ing. Bu_t let Easter set a good headline. having recently repeated, within closed doors, was plainly to provoke the Iri:sh Volunt eers to do . EQUIPMENT • • the lie that can no longer face the public, that something rash arrd unconsidered. The object Two leaflets on Equipment were issued last the Irish Volunteers are armed with the help of has failed. .As the President of the Irish VolunGerman money. The English, Whigs have gained· teers announced at 'the huge meeting of protest week and are now being sent out . to Companies. one victory at all events. They have destroyed in the Dublin Mansion House, the Irish Volun- One gives the Field Kit for the in,dividual Volunthe last vestige of selfrespect in their chief Irish teers are not going to be trapped into doing what teer, and ·the other the F ield Equipment for associates . Needs must when the Devil drives . the enemy wants- into striking at the time and V ohinteer Companies. .A copy of the first should under the conditions dictated ·by hirri . They will be handed to every Volunteer by the Company * * * · My purpose is to expose the degradation which simply go on with their preparations. The effect · Commanders, so that every man may clearly Predominant Partnership must 'inevitably impose of the enemy's action, as far as the Irish V olun- know what he is expected to bring with him on on any set of Irishmen allied with it. .Already teers are concerned, has been to produce a wave field days. .As for the Company Equipment, the Commanders and Quartermasters should busy that degradation had been imposed on the of public feeling in their favour similar to tha t Unionists of Ireland. It is now t ll!king posses- which surged through the country after the themselves at once :with the completion of their sion of Mr. Redmond and his followers. The Ho'w th gun-running and the Bachelor's Walk stores. "Co:p.naught 'fribune" might' have' its neigh- shooting; a wave of feeling which has not stopped TEST YOUR GUNS. bour; Lord .Ashtown, for Editor. But I once short at sympathy, for the Dublin Brigade has We find it necessary to repeat our injunction more repeat the 'warning against faction. I have had an influx of recruits comparable to that to everyone c;oncerl!-ed to t~st all rifles, revolver,s, never counten;mced the doctrine that Irish which came in July, 1914, after Howth and and automatics which are m the hands of V ohmUnionists, however much they · h ave been prac- Bachelor's '\Valk . '.l'he 'week's recruits are num- teers.. . Many guns have a slight and easilytised upon, are our National enemies. When I' bered not by scores but literally by hundreds.' .As remedied defect of one sort or another which ·u se my right as a free Irishman to point out the long as t.he enemy plays our game in this way we ought to be attended to in time. Every Company .degradation imposed on Mr. Redmond and his are content. should by now h.a ve its qualified armourer. abettors, I warn all who read my words to keep all their indignation for the ' i11famous system that glories· in this shame of Irelarrd. lecting cards can also be had at Headquarters, * •* * and we hope there will be many applications for The speakers at the open-air meeting in Dublin Cumann na mBan them, as many parts of the country where new on Saturday advised their hearers to avoid all • Branches have been started would probably connoisy qemonstrations. That is sound advice. tribute towards the fund if the cards were in BAL.LOT .FOR ARMS. . Peopl~ have something more serious to spend The abov·e Ballot has recei:ved an excellent re- circulation. their .e netgy on than the relief of their feelings sponse from . the Volunteer Companies throughfor the moment. out Ireland. Complain.ts have been made., howEotN MAo NEILL. NICHT OPERATIONS. ever, thaVthe short space allowed for entry has made it difficult for the Corps in remote districts TH'E DU.BLIN BRICADE. . to take part. Recognising this, Cumann na 5.- ·NIGHT ASSAULTS (Continued) . , Executive has decided . to 19th. pqstpone the ._____________________ mBan Drawing till Wednesday, .April Entries • THE A'DVANCE.- (1) Before the .a dvance ·all orders must be explained so that everyone may Orders for week ending April 9th, 1916. (£1) will be received up to Monday evening, know: (a) The object and the direction of the-1. First-Aid and Signalling Classes as usual. .April 17th. Prizes consist of a 1st of 20 guns, objective; (b) the formation adopted; (c) his own .All other classes discontinued . . and 2nd and subsequent prizes of 10 guns each, du.ty; (d) his action in case the enemy is not 2. Usual Lecture for Officers on Saturday only up ·to the full amount of the money subscribed. surprised. at 8 p.m. Cumann na mBan Branqhes may enter. (2) Instructions: (a) Rifles not to be loaded. M. W. O'REILLY, DeputJ>: .Adjt. BRAY RALLIES . Magazines to be charged and cut-offs closed. No The National Concert organised by the re- one to fire without orders; (b) till daylight - - - -•:•·- - -bayonets only to be used; (c) absolute s ilence; A NEW TRACT., cently-started Branch of Cumann na mBan in P. H. Pearse's pamphlet on "The Separatist Bray will be held at the .Arcadia, on Tuesday, equipment must not rattle; (d) no smoking; no ·Idea" ·(being a sequel to his "Ghosts") has .April 11th, at 8 p .m. The artistes who have matches to be struck; (e) if obstacles are met, been added to the Tra.cts series. Wholesale from kindly. consented to assist include Misses troops will lie down till they are cleared away. - Whelan & Son; price one penny; postage free on Creegan, Davin, Murphy, M. Ryan and F. Ryan, (3) Lateral Communications must be main,q uaptities of a dozen. and Messrs. Cox, Crofts, Neeson, Nunan, ~rian tained, so that the assiJ,ults may be . delivered na Banban, Seosamh Mac .Cathmhaoil, Cairraighe simultaneously. (4) · Hostile patrols, scouts, etc., must be got 0 Roiaean. It is interesting to find that virile PHOTOCRAPHY. nationalism in Bray can organise a concert of rid of without noise. Rush them silently with ... such a high standard, and the promoters hi:ipe the bayonet. ABSOLUTELY CHEAPE_S T- ANYWHERE that it will receive the wholehearted support of · (5) If, after deployment, the enemy opens fire, every man must undei·stand tha t he must pre'ss every person of national · sentiments in Bray, Three Premier Cabinet Photos, mounted · and that many Dublin Nationalists will attend . forward at once, at any cost. Surprise can never · complete, froµi any photo., 2s. . the concert and support this .effoi:t. of a. new arn:l. be complete, and so a~ volley or· so must be exuntried Branch to promote national propaganda . pected before you get to grips. No movement in Bray. Tickets can be had at Cumann na mBan to the rear ·can be permitted. Section CommanOffice, I.. V.· Head.q uartets, 2 Dawson Street. ders must .see to this . 75 LR. DORSET ST., DUBLIN .• (6) If the assault at dawn succeeds, the enemy . Membership cards are now ready for all Branches. They. ca~ he had on ~pplication by should . be. followed· up , by mounted troops. ·If it · LIVERPOOL"~" COMP.ANY.-Drawing for '.Branch .Secretaries to the SeCl'etary , Cumann na · fails, mounte'd'- troops should pi:otect the retiring mBan, 2 D awson Street. Defence of Ireland col- infantry. .45 Service Revolver :-Winning number, 1427.
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Satmday, 1\..pril 8th, 1916.
B A N I SH ME N T GREAT MEETING ,OF NAT I ONAL PR OTEST
I N DU BL I N. On Thursday night a greait and enthusiastic .assembly, thoroughly representative of the people of Dublin, thronged. the Dublin Mansion House in answer to a summons issued that day, .to " .protest against the banishment of Irishmen from Ireland ." Enormous crowds were unable to ,gain admission to the Round Room, aµd it was iound necessary to hold overflow meetings iI the Pillar Room and in. the front of the building. Alderman Corrigan, locum tenens for the ·Lord Mayor, who presided in the Round Room, said he fob highly honoured in being asked to take the ·chair a t that vast assembly, and he deeply re.gretted the cause that had gathered them together. It was a terrible thing in the. twentieth century that Irishmen could be expatriated with-out having committed any crime . (Applause.) Mr. John Fitzgibbon read letters apologising for non-attendance and expressing sympathy with the objects of _the meeting fro:in the Very Rev. Archdeacon MacKenna, P.P., V.G., Car·r ick_m across; Rev. Fr. Fullerton, C.C., Belfast; Rev. Matt. Ryan, P.P., Knockavilla, Co. Tipperary; Rev. M. Hayes, C.C., Newcastle West, ·Co. Limerick; Fr. Murphy, Wexford; Fr. Maguire, Inniskeen; Rev. Francis A. Gleeson, C .C., Dublin; Rev. T . de Bhall, C.C., Drum- -collogher, Co. Limerick; Fr. Burbage, Carlow; Fr. O'Meehan, Kinvara; Fr . 0 Ciarain, Rock-corry; Fr. O'Daly, Clogher; Rev. P. O'Flanagan, C.C. , Ringsen<l; Miss Catherine Mahon, Ex-President, National Teachers' Association ; Mr. Laurence Giimell, M .P.; Mr. J'ames O'Shea, Chairman, Killarney Rural Council; Alderman Corish, Wexford; Alderman Power , Ex-Mayor -0f Waterford; Dr. 0 Gruagain, Scariff, Co. C lare; Mr. John Sweetman, Drumbaragh, Kells; Mr. Michael O'Callaghan, '.l'-.C.I.. Limerick; Mr. James Dolan, Manorhamilton; 1\![r. James Dalton, T.C., Limerick; Mr. Joes_ph O'Flaherty, Loughrea, Galway; Professor Mac Enri, Galway University; Dr. McCartin, Gortin, Co . Tyrone; Mr. Walsh, T.C., P.L. G., Limerick; Mr. Joseph Dolan, Ardee, Co. Louth; Loughrea Corps and Granard Corps, Irish Volunteers ; and the Editor,." Kerryman," Tralee. Alderman Thomas Kelly, who was received :with loud applause, proposed the following resol ution :- "That this public meeting of Dublin -citizens in the Mansion House of Dublin asks all t he Irish people to join in opposing the Government's attempt, unanimously condemned by national opinion last yearh and now renewed, to send Irishmen into banis ment from Ireland." He said he had in his hand a copy of the London "Times " for March 4th, containing a two-column article, headed "Mischief in Ireland," _"Continued Inactivity," "The Growth of Sinn Fein,'' in which the Government were denounced for their masterly inactivity in Ireland. The ,a,rticle quoted from the " Spark" as a specimen ·of the ' 1 disloyal Press," and described where it was printed. Shortly afterwards the printing :premiseE; in question were raided by a big body -of police- and military, who broke up the plant ,and machinery. This was the first great victory for the Northcliffe campaign. (Laughter and applause.) So Northcliffe's venomous fangs were now to be thrust into the throat of Ireland- for this was what the article meant. The Northcliffe •campa1gn had had another victory in the seizure -of two young Irishmen, against whom there was ·no charge, and their threatened deportation from Ireland by military force, the same tactics exactly as were carried out in the seventeenth ·century under the Cromwellian regime. They ·oilly wanted to be left alone in their own country. The Irish Volunteers had as good a right to drill oand arm as any other Volunteers. As a man anxious for peace who did not desire the horrors ,of war, he hoped that commonsense would enter i nto the counsels of Dublin Castle, because this injustice would rankle in the hearts of the people -of Ireland and would probably recoil on the heads :of the British Administration in a manner they never expected. . Rev. Fr. O'Connolly, C.C., Ballinasloe, -seconded the resolution. .He said they were ·called upon to face the most serious problem that Ireland had been called upon to face for many ·years- the extinction of the last r ay of freedom :of our race, and whether· they should submit -without a murmur or show they were determined :to prevent it. (Applause.) Was the substance ·of the shadow of a charge even made against ' these fellow-countrymen of theirs, whose banish·ment ·was decreed? No, it was not necessary in :this isle of freedom, this "one bright spot." (Laughter and applause.) Their crime was that they loved the soil of Ireland, that they claimed for Ireland what England boasted she was fighting to gain for Belgium and Servia, the right of .freedom. (Applause.) If they deserved banishment for loving their country and believing she should be free, then every man and woman present should be shfP-ped -from the shores of Ireland 'before the morning light. (Applause.) The "Tullamore incident might be made an excuse. Well, in the Tullamore incident, the Irish Volun-"t~ers covered themselves with glory, ·(Applause.) Blythe and Mellows could not in any case be connected with the Tullamore incident. They were • .o.nly t1:ying to do for the 'Nationalists of Ireland :WJiat l;iigh Govel'nment officials did ~for the ._Qrangemen and Unionists. They- were not being banished to America-Irrsh-America was too well know·n . (Applau se.) They were not being oanished to a neutral country, where they would
THE IRI SH VO LU'NTEER-.
OF I R I S HMEN
3
I
have a chance of making a living. They were being banished to a hostile country, whose black.guards and slackers only a few . months ago outraged our Irish emigrants (applause), where they would. receive only insult arid injury and _die of starvation, To preverit this they must take such means as would be decided by the Irish Volunteers. (Loud and prolonged .applause.) . · Professor Eoin Mac Neill, who was enthusiastically received, denounced as a lie the pretence that this attempt to assert ·a military domination over the p·eople of Ireland ·was caused by the military necessities of the present war. They began this Ilolicy the very week the Irish .Volunteers were formed, before one soul of them thought of a European war. They were arresting Irish Volunteers because they were i;iow what they always were, and . they were the ·same a hundred years ago (app~ause), trying tci crush Irish ·nationality; He knew Blythe and Mellows well as honest and honourable.men, who did not care what sacl'iiice was exacted from them for the sake of Ireland-down to the.last sacrifice. When the Government attacked the-se men before and public opinion in Ireland rose against them, they took them to be tried in Belfast, in order to persnade the Belfast Unionists that they were at their back if they wished to engage in any murderous campaign here in Ireland. When the two men were on tri11J ·in Belfast their prosecutor said they should be sent to England, "where they would be treated as they dese1>ved." So now they were being sent to England. Whatever the crime of which these men were guilty, he thought he might say that everyone at that meeting took the crime on themselves. (Applause.) Another pretence against these men was that their conduct had been prejudicial to recruitment. Now let them produce the evidence and give these men a trial. In whatever degree these men were guilty ·of _that crime, he (the speaker) was guilty of it, and if they could make anything of it let them bring it to trial. An outrage had be.e n prepared, and, he believed, with a deliberate object -the hope that those who were responsible for the Irish Volunteer Movement would allow their conduct and line of action to be dictated to them and laid down for them by those who were their enemies, who would be able to make their plans accordingly. It was thought that they would be provoked and exasperated to such a degree that either those responsible would lose self-control or that the men of the Irish Volunteers would lose their discipline. He wished to state that the Volunteers' plans would stiU be their plans and their policy would be their policy (applause), and they would not be diverted from what they had undertaken to do by attempts at exasperation or provocation. There were certain points where they would draw the line, and they had drawn it already. There was one thing they were determined on, tha~ Irish Volunteers meant armed Irish Volunteers. (Applause) . They were bound in honour, for the sake of their country, in order to protect her against an intolerable tyranny, to preserve their arms. (Applause.) The Irish Volunteers were now stronger in every way than they were twelve months ago, they were becoming stronger every day. If the Government desired to suppress the Irish Volunteers there was one possible way to do it. Let them move their military forces against them. (Loud and prolonged cheering.) " Let them call out the forces of the Crown against us and we will meet them . (Cheers.) · Whether it is on equal terms, or two or five or twenty or forty to one, let them come against us and we will not shirk it. (Applause.) And until they lead their forces against us we will go on as we have gone on up to the present with preparations." (Applause.) For these two good men whom the British Government had seized they would gain men by hundreds and thousands. Whether Blythe and Mellows were deported to England or not, they had already defeated the object which was hoped to be secured by arresting those men. (Loud and prolonged applause.) Mr. Sheehy-Skeffington said tha~ s9mebody in Dublin Castle was evidently looking for trouble. Ever since tl).e Irish Volunteers paraded in College Green on St. Patrick's Day there had been indications that someone, whether General Friend or another, was anxious to provoke bloodshed. He referred to the incident in Tullamore and the raiding of the Gaelic Press as cases in point, and dwelt in detail on the various instances of the use of the Defence of the Realm Act to establish a military . de~potism in Ireland. So long as the deported men were withdr awn from the field of national activity, those left behind m]!st redouble their energies. Once a clear issue was knit, every true Nationalist was for Ireland and against British opinion. (Applause.) Rev. Fr. Costello, C.C., SS. Michael and John's, Dublin, said the deportation· of these Volunteers was a challenge thrown down to Ireland. The C_!tbinet of England were, per hap:;;, that night or some other night, discussing the possibility of the supcessful enforcement of conscription in Ireland, no matter what the consequences we-re. It behoved every man at this issue to be prepared to make every sacrifice for Ireland, the supreme, if necessary. - (Applause.) Mr. Peter Macken, Vice-President, Trades Council, appealed _to all the young men present who had not already joineq the V 0 lunteers to do . so. Those wbo were unarm~d ,i,nd helpless, out.side the ranks of the Volunteers, were the men : to be pitied in Ireland at the present time. (Applau se.)
· Tli,e resolution was put to the meeting and carried unanimously, . amid applause. At the overflow meeting in the Supper Room, Mr. Walter Cole presided, and in addition to the previous speakers the O'Rahilly also addressed the meeting, dwelling on the importance of unity and discipline in the present crisis.
. .-
I R I SH F INAN CI AL R ELAT I ONS CO M~ MI TTEE 'S RE PLY TO MR . RED M ON D.
Mansion House, Dawson Street, ·Dublin, 1st April, 1916. To Mr. _John E. Redmond, M.P. Sir,- The Irish Financial Relations Committee v!3ry dee);Jl:y regrets t~a.t, occupying the Tespons1ble pos1t10n of Chairman · of the Irish Party, you should have suggested in your le.tter to Mr. Governey that a question in which· the whole future prosperity of Ireland is involved should be considered or dealt with otherwise than .on its merits. In view of the inevitable grave results to Irish prosperity from increased taxation we are convinced that the ·position of the Irish Party ·is not strengthened and cannot possibly be stre.ngthened by an effort to repress freedom of action on the part of the public by means of allegations as to the personnel or motives of this Committee. We wo,uld point oilt that no such attitude was taken up by you in the case· of the agitation which last year resulted in the abandonment of the liquor taxes proposed by Mr. Lloyd George. The Committee was appointed by a public meeting of Dublin citizens _in th11 Mansion House, with the immedia te object of conducting a vigorous campaign for the exemption of Ireland from war-taxation. In that work we welcome the co-operation of all who are' willing to co-operate without inquiry as to their political opinions on other questions. We are glad to recognise that you correctly interpret the feelings of the country on the following points :- (1)that war-taxation should not " differentiate unfairly against Ireland " ; (2.~ that continuous exertions are needed "to protect Ireland against unjust burdens " ; and (3) that " the question of the future permanent fin ancial settlement between Great Britain and Ireland . . . is one of supreme importance." We are, however, compelled to join issue with you as to the advisability of agitating this question now. We are st rongly of opinion that the question is the most vital and urgent one with which the country is faced at present, and that any failure on our part to take the most effective action within our power in sucl:i a crisis would be both culpable and imprudent. We cannot agree w,ith your statement that the claim for the exemption from war-taxation is "ridiculous,'' or that any war-taxation for Ireland can be" really necessary." , The extra taxation imposed on Ireland last year, though enormous in proportion to Ireland's resources, was barely sufficient to pay for the cost of two days of warfare. It cannot, therefore, be described as " really necessary " for the conduct of the war,-the only object this crrnihing taxation can achieve is the ruin of Ireland. We affirm that there is nothing ridiculous in claiming for Ireland complete exemption from these taxes, and in claiming it now. The following are some of the grounds on which we base this claim : (1.) Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa enjoy, as a matter of course, complete exemption from war-taxation . :Any contribution these self-governing communities may choose to make towards war expenditure are " the free gifts of a free people." · . (2.) Ireland has contributed to Imperial expenditure, between 1809 and 1911, a sum of over £329,000,009, and has, therefore, an immediate claim to relief from further contribut ions., (3.) Ireland, during the same· century, was continuously taxed at a rate far in excess of the highest estimate of her "fair proportion." · (4.) Imperial expenditure and Irish impoverishment have now reached the point (anticipated by Mr. Sexton in the Financial Report of 1896) where no possible "proportion! ' can be equitable, and where a definite limit must be placed to ·rreland's taxation, without reference to the amount of British taxation. Mr. Sexton pointed out in 1896 (Financial Relations Report, p. ·61) that: "Having regard to the slender means of Ireland, and the liability ·of the United Kingdom to great increases of jts al~·eady vast expenditure, .no system of proportionate taxation will exempt _ the means of subsistence in Ireland, unless it be governed by a provision to limit Irish taxation to a specified annual sum." The position thus foreseen twenty years ago has now been reached ; and accordingly, as Mr. Sexton points out in his published letter· of March 21st no fiscal arrangement with Great Britain can b~ even approximately equitable which does not provide that " the yearly levy on Ireland should not exceed ·a certain sum." Pe!!ding the final radical settlement of the Irish Fiscal question we suggest that the yearly levy on Ireland should not exceed the pre-war figure, and that none of the excessive increases due to the war should be imposed on Ireland. These increases -encroach dangerously on the margin of subsist_ence in Irelaµ\'l. (thpug;h not in Grei!,t Britain) and, accordingly, answer your definition 0f taxes which ought .to- be opposeq- nal!).ely, th 0 se which "differentiate unfairly against Ireland." · · · Signed on beh~lf of the Committee, .· . " . B. J:_. GOFF, M.A,, "---J; -K LYONS, Hon. Secretaries.
"
4
Saturday, Apri~ 8th, L916.
THE IRISH VOLUNTEER.
~n t::-.o.on S1op.1 Mn.&in 1 mb.o.1te-J.tc.-Ct1c.t :sutt e15in -oo 5.0.c -ouine r.o.n 01r1:s eot.o.r
-oo t'.>e1t .0.1.:se · .o.tt
SOMETHING
te~n5<'.1in
r1.o.n-S.o.eue.o.l. '
FOR NOTHING: logically demonstrated.
You buy books from time to time. · You are an Irish-Irelander. We are booksellers. We employ only Irish-speaking assistants who . speak Irish as well as JDnglish. Surely no greater service can be dene for the language than to give it a practical value. Th& more business we do the more Irish speakers we can employ.
Now it costs no more to buy_your books from us · · than to ·b uy them from a non-Irish firm. Therefore by dealing with us you do as mueiih to promote Gaelic ideals as you would by giving a subscription fQr some Gaelic purpose; yet you _spend no more than you would in the ordillary course of events. · T<he success of this Irish ent'erprise depends on the support of the Irish public.
s1op.6. n.6. teAOAfl n5.6.etle.6.tAc (The Irish Book Shop) 50
LOWER
BACCOT STR.EET, DUBLIN.
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1st BATT. DUBLIN BRIGADE, i. , V.
GRAND
1818
oHNi~oos
GLEESON & Co.
CONCERT
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ANTIENT CONCERT ROOMS SUNDAY NIGHT, 9th APRIL, 1916. Doors open 7.30 p.m.
Tel. 4804.
Irish Volun,t eer Tailo·r s and Drapers, 11 l)PPER O'CONNELL ST., .RUBLIN.
Commencing at 8 o'clock.
ADDRESS BY EOIN MAC NEILL. (DUBLIN), LTD.
Price 15/6. Reduction for Companie·a.
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For the Institution, the Mansion or the
<iround· & Set
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CLOSE FIRE KITCHEN RANGES before ordering . elsewhere. We guarantee them to cook perfectly, and to be economical in fuel. Our prices are right.
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For Big Value in Chandlery, Tobacco, Cigarettes, etc.
·Thos. J. Little,
The Irish Tailor
38 DRURY STREET
VOLUNTEERS, we ask your support when starting Bagpipe or other Bands. We are actual makers in Ireland, and can give you better and cheaper Instruments than those who are merely Importers. Best Uilean Bagpipes always in stock. Chanter, Bag, and Bellows", 755. net. Wholesale Agent for all publications by Carl Hardebeck. Write for lists.
D. McCULLOUGH · MU S ICAL WAREHOUSE,
8 HOWARD STREET, BELFAST.
" ~l' Sc.&t .o. Ce1le Se.o.'l'> m.o.1ttm n.6.
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we appeal to you as a Gael only for a trlat order. . We are certain to give you satisfaotion. LADIES' AND GENT'S TAILOR.
p.J.Utl-0.1 5 0 bO'Ol~11t, 2
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A UT 0 M0 BI L E SC H 0 0 L. VOLUNTEERS, We give you a Complete Practical Course in Motor Car Driving, Mechanism_, and repairit for 2 GUINEAS. Up-to-date-Cars. Certificate when competent. 4 Dartmouth Place, Ranelagh Road, DUBLIN.
CAHILL'S MA<;IC -BLOOD PURIFIER, 1 /· &
2/-.
Removes Pimples, Spots, Skin Eruptions, ·cools the blood, regulates the· system.
ARTHUR J . . CAHILL,. ~--------------------! The National Chemist, I>ON'T FORGE'.L'
SUITS, 42s . to 84s. 1 ~~~~:; ~~u~~ CASH TAILORING CO. Pay for your Clothes as you WEAR THEM.
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Tool Merchant,
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We are an exclusively "IRISH FIRM" employing only IRISH LABOUR. All garments made to order in our own workshops. EXTENSIVE STOCK to select from, bought for CASH from best IRISH MANUFAC· TURERS.
Luoonia, Pierce, Swift, Rudge, B.S.A. New • , . Bicycles._ Cash. Easy Paymet\ts.. . Repairs. · Accessories. Second-hand Bicycles from 25/-. Prams and Gramophones Repaired.
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RAZORS
You are invited to inspect our stock _of
E. MacHugh
63" Talbot Street, DUBLIN.
BOOTS.
DOLPHIN'S BARN, DUBLIN. Under entirely new ownership and new and ~x pert management. Send your linen to us". Satisfaction guaranteed. Irish Materials used. Post paid one way on Collar& and Cuffs for orders of 2 / 6 . . Branches-159 Nortl'! King St.; 8 Lower Clanbrassil st; 7 Main St ., Wicklow.
0
1782- -1913.
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Best ever produced for comfort and ease in marchit\g. Made in my own workshops by skilled Irishmen, under Trade UniOn conditions.
The MIRROR LAUNDRY
Mis~
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JRISH
· VOLUNTEERS Should Intet>view
Kelly fop Bikes
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See our SPECIAL
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CYCLES Built in DUBLIN: .
~;::s
£6 Gs.
or 8j- monthly.
·NOTE ADDRESS-
(One door from Exchequer Street). GAELS! Remember an Irish Irelandoc when you want New ' or Secondhand Typewriters, J)uplicators, Stencils, Stencil Ink, Ribbons, Carbons, P!!Pers, etc. Any make of Typewriter Repaired. THE FOLEY TYPEWRITER TRADING CO., Reis Chambers, DUBLIN. Telephone 117Y. VOLUNTEERS, remember
MARIE'S RESTAURANT & TEA ROOMS- NOW OPEN. Also on Sundays from 4 o'clock p.m. All work done in this establishment, Altera"tions, Repairs, etc., by Volunteers' hands.
COURT · LAUNDRY, 58a HARCOURT STREET, DUBLIN . (Proprietor, H. c. Watson). Winners of Silver Medal for Fancy Ironing • Work, and Diploma for Shirts and Collars .at Manchester Laundry Exhibition, 1913. Post Paid one way on orders of 2/6. For Collars and Shirts only. Telephone 1848. ~ 5.o.eue.o.t.o., c.o.t'.>ttu1s1t> le 5.o.eue.o.l
For real Bed-rock
V~lue
Confec~ionery
!
in Groceries and try
Rings EVERY FACILITY for choosing exactly the ring you require is offered at GANTER BROS. Almost unlimited selection. No hurry, no ru:sh, no pressure. Catalogue free on request.
. GANTER BROS., 63 South Creat Ceorge's Street, - DUBLIN.
EQUIPMENT CHEAP. · Haversacks, Knapsacks, Belts, Waterbottles, ·Puttees, Military Coats (secondhand), · Entrenching Shove!S, Ammunition Pouches, Army Cord and Serge Breeches (new and second-hand), -Revolver Holstei;s (new and second-hand), Marching Boots, Mess 'J.'ins. Oil, Cleaning Outfits, Knives. SEE PRICE LISTS. -
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TREASON! ·
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2 Lower Abbey Street, Dublin. Irish: Made Shirts, Caps, Poplin Ties,. Collars, Hosiery, etc. THE BEST VALUE FOR CASH IN LIMERICK.
p.J.un,o.15
o
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The Munster furnishing _Co., 11 CT. CEORCE'S STREET, CORK.-
JOHN JENNINGS, Proprietor. All kinds of Hqusehold Furnitur e1RISH MANUFACTURE.
CITY CLUB CICARETTES. 10 for TRY THEM-.
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is better than the Foreign Shirts, Hosiery, Gloves, Braces, Hats, Caps, Boots, etc., etc. ALL ffiISH. : Fair Prices. IRISH OUTFITTiNG · HEADQUART~RS, 19 Parliament S..tr_ee~. DUBLIN .
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COMFORTABLE APARTMENTS at 19 Blessington Street.- Full boar.d; from 14s. to 17s. per .week. . -
Printed for the Proprietors at Mahori's Printing _Works, Dublin, and published at the Volunteer · Headquarters, 2 Dawson St.r eet, Dublin .
YOUNG MAN, 22, business ruined on account of being Irish Volunteer, would drill corps .or take anything offered. Apply "New Ross," lRrsH VoLUNTEER Office. RESULT OF DRAW FOR ONE POUND NO'.l'E at Castletownroche :- Winning No., 399.
TOBACCONISTS, Established 1894.
•