‘Prussian despotism will destroy Ireland’

Lord Wimborne criticises Press censorship during the war

Warrenpoint, 8 July 1915 - The Viceroy of Ireland, Lord Wimborne, yesterday blamed the censorship of the press for the fact that eleven months into the war, people did not appreciate the 'full gravity' of the situation in which they were placed.

The comments were made a massive recruitment meeting in Warrenpoint, Co. Down. He went on to observe that the 'awakening of the people of the UK to the terror and the gravity and the seriousness of the situation had only come slowly, little by little, permeating and finding its way, and it had never come like a great thunder-clap'.

Left: Lord Wimborne receiving an address of welcome at Warrenpoint. Centre: Lady Wimborne shaking hands with soldier's mother. Right: Chairman of the Warrenpoint council being presented to Lady Wimborne. (Images: Irish Life, 16 & 23 July 1915. Full collection of Irish Life available from the National Library of Ireland)

Lord Wimborne said that the strength of the crowd who had turned out confirmed to him that ‘this was Ireland’s war - by sympathy, by self-interest, by the instinct of self-protection’.

A call to arms

Lord Wimborne stressed that the Germans had to be stopped at all costs. He said they would ruin Britain and Ireland as they had ruined others and would impose their hateful ideals of Prussian despotism upon the free democracies of these islands if allowed.

The meeting also heard messages encouraging men to enlist from King George V and from Lord Kitchener.

Confidential police reports for Down (L) and Ireland (R), June 1915. Each document contains an account of the Warrenpoint meeting. Click image to enlarge. (Image: National Archives UK, CO 904/07)

The message from the King concluded: ‘The recruits that are now answering your appeal will, I know, emulate that splendid bravery by which my Irish troops in this war have maintained their glorious traditions.’

The band of the Irish Rifles played a succession of tunes, culminating in ‘God Save The King’ which was sung by the audience. Also in attendance was war hero Sgt Michael O'Leary, VC, who was given an enthusiastic reception.

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]