CALL TO ARMS IN IRELAND

Grey River Argus, 5 October 1918, Page 4

CALL TO ARMS IN IRELAND

AN APPEAL TO MEN TO VOLUNr TEER.

The following appeal to Irishmen to enlist voluntarily was issued ±ecentiy by the Irish Recruiting Council on behalf of the Ir^sh Government, it is signed by Mr. A. M. Sullivan, Sir Maurice Dockrell, Mr. H. M'Laughlin, and Captain Stephen Gwynn,

"Fellow-countrymen, — At. the vequest of His Excellency, we four Irishmen have undertaken to organise a campaign of voluntary enlistment, to be carried on by our own people by their own methods, and in their own way. We are quite conscious of the difficulties that beset our path, nevertheless we belifeve that we shall receive the willing support of all, even those who are suffering under mismanagement and disappointed hope for jill must realise that the first necessity for the peaceful settlement ot our country's troubles must fee the defeat of the traducer of honour ana of our common Christianity. "The very darkness that broods upon our country urges each man ot courage and true heart to seek some enter wise where forge.tfulaess ot

sorrow may be found in honourable j duty bravely done. The steps are few that Ireland need retrace to find again the path on which two short years ago our sons and brothers marcßSd shoulder to shoulder. Our memories are not yet too dim to recall tlie scenes "that augured a new birth of Irish nationality. "Through the angry turmoil ot our disappointment and distress our J hearts can still remember the tramp of thousands whom we cheered and blessed. They went in answer to Ireland's call; they left behind , them, the joy and promise of their youth, home, plighted loved one or laughing child and marched forth upon the Great Adventure. As they pledged their lives our country pledged her honour that they should not die in vain nor should their ranks lack comrades whUe fiiere was a soul in Uj*n. lhe voices -* the living. and the dead an, plore us to keep faith. "War-worn remnants of the Irish brigades are reeling beneath the blows of a tyranny that would^quench the lamp of freedom in Europe. Hns isSnd is but the cradle of a greater Ireland that lies beyond the seas. That greater Ireland overseas from Adelaide to Brisbane, from San Francisco to New York, is heart and soul behind the men in Flanders. Our countrymen the world over stand aghast at our inaction, and their friendship is growing cold. "This is no hour for truck or barcain. Whatever bitterness must be felt over the -ecord of opportunities lost er promises unkept, we are confident that an answer to our appeal must come from the heart and conscience of a nation that never yet has sold herself to wrong or asked a price for doing right. We do believe that response to the voice of duty will always prove the truest wisdom and the most far-sichted statesmanship. Conscious of the weakness of ourselves, but never doubting the power of justice and of right to move the hearts of Irishmen, we appeal to alj. to join iir in this work of patriotism. If all who love liberty and truth and honour will rf»no:e themselves by our side our Trish heroes with new strength and hone will quickly restore the name of Ireland to its honoured rtlace among the nations of the world.",