SNUB FOR THE KAISER

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2653, 27 December 1915, Page 6

SNUB FOR THE KAISER

IRISH PRISONERS AND GERMAN PROPOSALS. The "Catholic Herald" publishes what it describes as "the fullest evidence yet available of the German plot to enrol Irish prisoners of war in & German-Irish brigade." '■■■ ; . A corporal of the Royal Irish Regiment describes visits to the camp at Limburg by Sir Roger Casement and by an American priest in order to induce the Irish prisoners of war there to join the proposed brigade. The proposal was answered by a letter, drafted and signed by the senior N.C.O.'s or different Irish battalions and 6ent to the German Emperor. They said: We fully appreciate the kindness extended in (1) grouping us together under, one roof; (2) assuring us of-better food; (3) decreasing the amount of fatigue work to be done; but we must beseech his Imperial Majesty to withdraw these concessions unless they , are shared by the remainder of prisoners, as in addition to being Irish Catholics we have the honour to be British soldiers.- .- . . The ruleß for the proposed brigade were thet it was to hi "formed solely for the purpose of fighting for -Ireland and securing for her national independence." - It- was to be paid by the German Government, wear a special distinctive Irish uniform, and have only Irish officers. "In the event of Germany gaining a big naval victory the brigade is to be sent to Ireland, and if not to help to free Egypt from the "British yoke." . When the war ended any member of the brigade who so desired it could he sent to- America. Commenting on these protiosals, the "Manchester Guardian" said that the Koiser had not read Mr. Kiplinps. "Mutiny of the Mavericks' or he might have scented a snub and held his hand. '