FROM THE IRISH TROOPS TO IRELAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 32, 13 January 1916, Page 8

FROM THE IRISH TROOPS TO IRELAND.

JOHN REDMOND AT THE FRONT. ' Mr Redmond, the Irush leader, was at the front in France in November. His visit was "no joy ride," it i s explained by a London paper, but a practical mission. At least one of his addresses to soldiers (the Royal Munster Fusiliers in this ca*se) had to be curtailed because a Taube was flying directly overhead. On his return to Lonjdon he delivered a notable speech at the Queen's Hall, appealing to Irishmen to enlist in the London Irish Rifle*. ■ ■ ->..-

"Let me say (said Mr Bedmpnd) that 1 have brought back- from the Irish troops from the front a message to Ireland. I told them that I brought them a message from Ireland of sympathy and of pride rind encouragement, and they asked me.to bring (back the message to Ireland that they felt every man of them, that in this war theyi were fighting, not merely for the absolute principle of liberty and right, not merely to avenge Belgium, but that they were fighting for the freedom and prosperity of their own beloved Ireland.—(Cheers.) All they ask is that Ireland will stand by them. Ireland has sent them to the front. Ireland's duty is to stand by them ; and what I would say to the Irish people is that Ireland would for ever be disgraced in the history of the world if, having sent these men to the front, they did not raise the necessary reserves to fill every gap that may arise in their ranks;" (Cheers.) ,