Redmond: Do your duty and enlist in the British army

Westminster, 19 February 1916 - John Redmond, leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party, has renewed his calls for Irishmen to join the British army in a manifesto published today.

In the course of this emotional appeal he said:

‘For the first time in history, we have today a huge Irish army in the field. It’s achievements have covered Ireland with glory before the world, and have thrilled our hearts with pride.’

‘You are under no compulsion save that of duty. In the name of honour, justice and religion, in the name of common gratitude, and in their own highest self-interest, I appeal to the young men of Ireland who are still available to form reserve battalions and to commence their training.’

He challenged Irishmen ‘to mark the profound change which has been brought about in the relations of Ireland to the Empire by wholeheartedly supporting the Allies in the field... After centuries of misunderstanding, the democracy of Britain had finally and irrevocably decided to trust Ireland'.

Prof Ronan Fanning discusses the impact of the outbreak of the First World War on Britain's approach to the Irish question.

‘A just war’
Mr. Redmond went on to say that the allies were fighting in ‘a just war, provoked by the intolerable military despotism of Germany, that it was a war in defence of the rights and liberties of small nations, and that Ireland would be false to her history and every consideration of honour, good faith, and self-interest if she did not respond to my appeal.’

Mr. Redmond continued: ‘I called for a distinctively Irish Army, composed of Irishmen, led by Irishmen, and trained for the field at home in Ireland. I acknowledge with profound gratitude the magnificent response the country has made.’

Insisting that more recruits were needed to enlist, Mr. Redmond said:

‘We have to stand by and maintain the Irish army at the Front. We must not, and will not, tolerate the idea of our Irish regiments being reinforced by any but Irish soldiers.’ 

'Our gallant fellow countrymen at the front commissioned me to make this appeal. They appeal today through me from the trenches to farmers, labourers, artisans and to every class of our people, not to desert them'.

[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.]