The
Prime Minster Mr Asquith, in a visit to Ireland,
Spoke
from the Dublin Mansion House on Friday night
With
Irish leader Mr Redmond, addressing a recruiting
Meeting.
While crowds remained outside devoid of tickets,
3000
people filled the round room to hear the speakers.
Having
declined a public welcome in Kingstown,
The
Prime Minister, accompanied by Mrs Asquith
And
Miss Violet Asquith, Was still greeted keenly,
By
a large gathered crowd on the pier – The party
Were
then driven to the Viceregal Lodge,
To
be the guests of the Earl of Aberdeen.
Crowds
had waited all day about the Mansion House-
As
inside an audience gave a standing ovation,
For
several minutes, to Mr Asquith and Mr Redmond.
In
the Lord Mayor’s opening statement was declared,
That
the Irish people were practically unanimous,
In
support of the government - The audience cheered.
Their
cheers being for war and on side of the Minister.
He
spoke out in making a prompt for weak nations,
To
stand up against a strong enemy’s violence -
Whose
practice of intrusion is their religion of force.
Asquith
gave marked pauses throughout his speech,
At
how Germany had been readily equipping for war –
And
how their youth is taught the belief of German,
Supreme
power - The speaker formed a picture,
In
his plea against militarism of a ruthless Germany -
Creating
wastage of war and dislocation.
His
call was for a ‘place in the sun’ for small nations,
And
for their equality in rights - the speech built
Towards
the purpose of his appeal for recruitment.
Making
his Premier call from Dublin,
Mr
Asquith indicates how mustering convoys
Are
forming in all parts of British Dominions.
Alluding
to two aspects of current recruitment,
The
first being of troops landing at Marseilles.
Today
in France of the First Indian Contingent,
While
at home more than 500,000 recruits
Have
joined the colours - Leading to the point
Of
his trip to Ireland asking them to take part -
While
adding he does not need to ask –
He
makes a request to National Volunteers
And
others, to be prompt and enthusiastic,
In
joining a worthy and large contingent,
For
the growth of second army - Ideally
There
would be a formation of Irish Brigade,
Or
even an Irish Army Corps - would be welcomed.
In
acknowledging great pride in Irish recruits,
Asquith
says more men were wanted from Ireland
Ireland
was called ‘The loyal daughter of the Empire’ -
Subjects
were noted as unthinkable - of how one section
Of
Irishmen were prepared to fight other Irishmen -
And
how Britain was to be in a place to fight either….
At
which point loud cheers filled the air.
Recruits
were now wanted at once, to be ready in time,
For
what might, and could be the final, decisive battle,
For
‘the greatest struggle in the history of the world.’
The
speaker adds with force ‘old animosities are dead
And
we are a united nation.’ A
culmination of cheers
Seems
to be the conviction of Ireland‘s readiness,
To
give recruits as the, ‘free offering of a free people.’
Following
a speech by Earl of Meath, Mr Redmond
Roused
eager sympathy of Ireland with Belgium,
Making
references to the Louvain atrocities -
Ireland
was in full empathy with the wars objectives.
The
Irish Leader noting while this was not an Irish war,
Everything
was at stake - for which they had striving
For
in over forty years was now caught in this struggle –
Mr
Redmond calls on the Great British people, having
Faith
with Ireland -Now Ireland will return that faith.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1914.
Premier’s call to Ireland – Plea for Army Corps – A united Empire – First
Indian Contingent – Arrival at Marseilles. The Daily Telegraph, [online]
26 Sept. p.7. Col.7. Available at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11121578/Daily-Telegraph-September-26-1914.html
[Accessed: 26 September 2014].
Mann, J., 2014. 100
years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 26
September 2014).
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