PROCLAMATION TO IRELAND

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 221, 6 June 1918, Page 5

PROCLAMATION TO IRELAND

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FRONT

OFFER BY VISCOUNT FRENCH

FAIR PLAY ALL ROUND

London, .Juno i. ■ i Viscount French (Lord Lieutenant of i Ireland) hae issued a Proclamation in > pursuance of his promise. Tho Proclamation states: "Wo now make an . offer which, if successful, will ensure [ that Ireland will play • her part fully and freely in the world's struggle for . liberty. , . "The offer we make is: That Ireland voluntarily furnish tho number of men required to establish an equitable ratio comparedwith other parts of the Empire. In order to establish that ratio Ireland can fairly bo' asked to raise : 50,000 recruits before October 1 to •■ replenish tho Irish divisions in the ' field. ; After that date Ireland to raise 2000 to 3000 monthly in order to maintain those divisions. ... "Wo wish to make it quito cloar to . ; . everyone that there is no intention to j disturb tho farming interests, food pro-, i duction, nor anything which will hajuper or curtail essential industry in the country. It is not expected that many of the rural population will be available for military purposes; the Government looks almost entirely to tho large numbers of young men in tho towns, which are far greater than required to carry on the ordinary retail trade, i' "Wq propose first to call on the younger men and thoso who can best be spared to como forward and fight for their Motherland. The ago limit for v tho present appeal is therefore fixed at 18 to 27 years. This is not intended to preclude older men from coming forward who may bo specially fitted for military service. "Wo recognise that the men who como forward to fight are entitled to share all the Motherland can offer. Steps aro therefore being taken to ensure ae far as possible- that land will' bo available for the men who have fought; and tho necessary legislative measuro is under consideration. "Recruiting will be in civilian hands, and steps will bo taken to secure that fair play shall bo meted out to all. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable As6ii.-Eeiiter. IRISH PRESS COMMENT A GOVERNMENT BACKDOWN. (i?ec. .Tune 6, 1.5 a.m.) ■ • London, Juno 4. Tho Dublin newspapers interpret Viscount I'renchV proclamation as an admission that conscription has been abandoned. Thus tho purpose iias been achieved for which the Irish ..members left the House of Commons. The Gov- [ eminent, they say, has completely climbed down, but it is announced in Government quarter's that conscription will assuredly bo enforced in the ovent of Ireland not grasping the present opportunily. Nationalist critcisui suggests an attempt to range tho towns of Ireland , against tho country. It is recalled that* the Government earlier declared that it would bo impossible to provide land for soldiers' dependants. The Nationalists aver that tho Government cannot find land for the rural population and evicted tenants. Tho Government would .havo been well advised to have promulgated a detailed scheme'lit tho outset proving, its bona fides.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. • SINN FEIN DEMONSTRATIONS AT FUNERALS (Rec. Juno 5, 10.45 p.m.) Dublin, June 4. In viow of the prohibition of procession's and outdoor meetings, tho_ Sinn Feinors aro adopting funerals as demonelivitions. Largo processions follow tho coffins, and revolver salutes are fired over tho graves. .. Tho unsettled state of the country is reflected bj the news from many parts. Tho chairman of (he Kerry County Coiuicil was sentenced to one years hard labour for failing to report a raid for arms upoc his premises. . Executive, drives for - weapons and explosivesare reported from Tipperaiy and clsowhcre. -"Tho Times."