John Redmond: The National Leader by Dermot Meleady

Author:Dermot Meleady
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781908928405
Publisher: Original Writing
Published: 2013-11-08T00:00:00+00:00

8

‘AND GOD SAVE ENGLAND TOO!’

Today I honestly believe that the democracy of Ireland will turn with the utmost anxiety and

sympathy to this country in every trial and every danger that may overtake it….

– Redmond in the House of Commons before the declaration of war, 3 August 1914.

Ireland is not at war with Germany. She has no quarrel with any Continental

Power…What has Ireland to defend and whom has she to defend it against?

– Sinn Féin, 8 August 1914.

… account yourselves as men, not only in Ireland itself, but wherever the firing-line extends, in defence of right, of freedom and of religion in this war.

– Redmond at Woodenbridge, Co. Wicklow, 20 September 1914.

I

On Monday 27 July, Asquith announced the postponement of the Commons debate on the Amending Bill, due to resume the following day. Another sensational – and tragic – development had intervened at the weekend. The Government had issued a second arms proclamation in mid-June, and Redmond had warned Birrell on 30 June of the danger that it might bring nationalists into collision with the police. The demand from the Irish Volunteers for weapons had prompted him to send T.M. Kettle and John O’Connor MP to Belgium to buy arms. Unknown to him, however, another group, sent by Casement, had also been to Belgium on a similar mission, and had landed their cargo of 1,100 rifles and amunition at Howth, twelve miles from Dublin, from a private yacht on Sunday 26 July. A party of 700 Irish National Volunteers were at the port to unload it. On the way back to the city, the Volunteers were confronted, first by a force of police, then by troops called out by Assistant Commissioner Harrel of the Dublin Metropolitan Police. A company of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers blocked the road and demanded the surrender of the arms. This was refused, and after some scuffles, the Volunteers escaped with most of the consignment. Returning to the city centre, the soldiers were pelted by a crowd with stones and other missiles. At Bachelor’s Walk, without waiting for orders, they fired on the crowd, killing three and injuring thirty-eight with bullet and bayonet. Profound shock in Britain was matched by fierce indignation in nationalist Ireland at the partiality of the Dublin Castle authorities.1 The previous day, an infantry brigade of 5,000 Ulster Volunteers had marched through Belfast fully armed and with four machine-guns.2 On Monday morning, the Irish Party met to decide upon its attitude to the Amending Bill. The heated atmosphere made any further concession on the issue of the time limit almost impossible. In the House, Redmond voiced his anger, demanding an adjournment and a full judicial and military inquiry. Expressing his own dismay and horror, Asquith acceded to these demands.3 In line with Redmond’s request for a postponement, the Amending Bill would be taken on Thursday 30 July.

Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on Tuesday 28 July. On Wednesday, as the funerals of the Bachelor’s Walk victims took place in Dublin, Belgrade was bombarded and Russia and Germany mobilized their armies.

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