APPEAL TO IRISHMEN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1880, 21 September 1918, Page 1

APPEAL TO IRISHMEN.

PREMIER MASSEY’S LETTER

London, July- 28,

In {i letter to the Irish Recruiting Council, at Dublin, Mr Massey appealed to Irishmen to throw in their lot with the Allies in this war. He said: —

It will be readily admitted (hat, during the present war many Irishmen have done all it was possible for men to do as loyal citizens of the British. Empire. They have distinguished themselves by their valour on the battlefields and in civil life by their enthusiasm for the glorious cause which the Allies are united in defending. But there are still many natives in Ireland who have not yet risen to a sense of their responsibilities in the great struggle on which depends the future of civilisation.

To these latter I would appeal before the opportunity passes to remember that Irishmen have always been on the side of liberty and freedom, the very case for which in this awful struggle, the best hood of the Allied nations has been poured out. Let them remember that Germany, bv her record in this war, stands

for the crushing of the small nations, for military despotism, opression, and cruelly. These are the issues, and there is no middle course. He who refuses to assist the Allies assists Germany.

The nations responsible for all these outrages have staggered and horrified humanity during the last four years. This is not, the time to keep up sectional differences or past grievances. This is the time for Irishmen especially to remember that the honour of ilmir country and (he safety of civilisation arc at slake. Let them think of the Irish regiments who have suffered heavily in recent battles. Let them remember their gallant countrymen who have made the supreme sacri-

fice in this war, and then let them act as their instinct of loyalty and generosity dictate by joining the

ranks of the Allies, and, while there is yet time, striking a blow for righteousness and justice.