MR. WILLIAM REDMOND, M.P

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2429, 7 April 1915, Page 7

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND, M.P

"IRELAND'S BEST INTERESTS BOUND UP WITH ALLIES." The "Freemun's Journal" says that Mr. William Redmond, M.P. for East Clare, who has received a commission in the Royal Irish Regiment, has addressed the following letter to Mr. P. J. Linuane, j.P., Ennis:— "Dear Mr. Linuaiie, —As you are ono of my oldest friends I desire you to inform the people of East Clare that I have offered myself to the Irish Brigade. I am doing so because I am firmly and absolutely convinced that the futuro freedom, welfare, happiness of the Irish people depend on the part Ireland plays m this war.

"I am firmly convinoed that the best interests of Ireland are bound up with the, Allies. There may be a few who think the Germans would not injure Ireland, and that they would even benefit us. I truly hope the Clare people will rely on no such statement. If the Germans were here, and they will if they reach Britain, they will be our masters, and we shall be at their mercy. What that' mercy is likely to be, judge by the treatment given to Belgium. Tho Belgians never did the Germans any harm, and yet Belgium was invaded, and the Belgiau people were massacred and their homes and churohes destroyed. A niece of my own, a nun, has been a victim—driven, from her convent home by shot and shell. If in the time to come we in Ireland could not show we had struck a blow for Belgium, then indeed I believe that our name would lie disgraced. Apart from all this I regard the Act which restores our own Parliament as a Treaty of Pence with the people of Great Britain. The British deinooracy have shown us help and sympathy. Every reform now we enjoy wo owe to their loyal help and constant support. Everyone in Clare who feels, better; off than thirty years' ago must know that it is due largely to our British friends. Without their aid the Irish Party could have dona nothing. Apart from our interests, which I have said I believe are with the Allies, we should be uugrateful and inhuman if we stood by while the English, Scotch, and Welsh people wore in danger, and their women ancl children killed in cold blood, as happened in Scarborough. There is another consideration, and it is our own kith and kin throughout the British Empire. Every reform we have won has been largely by their constant and generous aid. Canada and Australia and New Zealand have been our loyal friends In our hour of strife. Their Parliament? and their statesmen have ever pleaded for our rights. If Germany wins this war these people will have their homes, their property, and ovon their very, lives in danger. Are we to leave these people who were our friends without our aid? If wo did so we should be justly disgraced.

''A? for me, I have all my life long, thirty-two years ia Parliament, (lone my best for Ireland. lam too old to be a soldier, but I intend to try to do my best for whatever life remains in me to show that Ireland at least is true to her treaties, and' not in any way ungrateful to her friend's throughout the world. Tens of thousands of our young men are going to strike a blow for Irelaud's best interests I truly bqliovo. Well, it may cheer these bravo and gallant men if they know that one of tho old hands is willing to go with them. I believe the men of East Clare will approve of my action. If they should not, then we shall part with nothing on my side but the warmest gratitude for the unvarying kindness over shown to 1110 by tho people I have done my host to serve for twenty-three long years. With my best regards to you and your family, and to all.my old frjencls of so many years.—l am, yours very truly, William lledmond."