Irish Labour movement condemns ‘military junta’
The Irish Labour movement has launched a bitter attack on Sir Edward Carson and on the officers who have led the recent incident at the Curragh Camp.
In a manifesto to the workers of Ireland - signed by Jim Larkin, William O’Brien and Tom Johnson of the Irish Trades Union Congress - the Labour movement condemned ‘the criminal and traitorous conduct of a privileged class-conscious group of masquerading as Army Officers, who have set themselves up as a military junta evidently determined to thwart the will of the people.’
The manifesto continued: ‘As Irish workers we are not concerned with the Officers of the British Army taking the line they have, nor are we concerned because of the effect their action may have upon Britain’s Army, but we claim that what the Officer may do in pursuance of his political and sectarian convictions so, too, the Private in pursuance of his; and if today British Generals and other Staff Officers refuse to fight against the privileged class to which they belong so, too, must the Private Soldier be allowed to exercise his convictions against shooting down his brothers and sisters of the working class when they are fighting for their rights.’
'There's many a slip...': The threat of military resignations creating a barrier between Redmond and Asquith. (Image: Punch, 1 April 1914)
‘If it is lawful for Carson to arm, it is lawful for us - the workers - to arm; if it is lawful Carson to drill, it is lawful for us to drill; if it is right and legal for Carson to fight, then it is right and legal for us to fight for economic freedom. ‘
The manifesto also condemned the proposed partition of Ireland: ‘To us of the Irish working class the division of Ireland into two parts is unthinkable. To us Irishmen the cutting-off of that Province or any part thereof, is an act of pure suicide and should not be persisted in.’
‘We claim Ulster in its entirety; her sons are our brothers, and we are opposed to any attempt to divide us.’
The Labour movement is organising a demonstration in Dublin, on Sunday, 5 April.
