RECRUITING IN IRELAND.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15529, 5 June 1918, Page 5

RECRUITING IN IRELAND.

Appeal bt lord french.

(Ans. St N.Z. Cable Assn, k Rentes.)

Received June 5, 11.10 a.m. LONDON, June 4,

. Lord French has issued the following proclamation; —ln pursuance of a promise, w© now make an offer which, if successful, will ensure that Ireland wilt play its part fully and freely in the world’s straggle for liberty. The offer we make is that Ireland shall voluntarily furnish the number of men required to establi-h an equitable ratio compared with other parts of the Empire. In order to establish that ratio, Ireland can fairly be asked for 50,000 recruits before October Ist, to replenish the Irish divisions in the field. After that date, Ireland should raise from two to three thousand monthly, in order to maintain those divisions. We wish to make it quite clear to everyone that there is no intention to disturb farming interests and food production, nor anything which would hamper or curtail the essential industries of the country. It is not expected that many of the rural population will be available for military purposes. The Government looks almost entirely to the large numbers of young men in the towns, who are far more numerous than are required to carry on the ordinary retail trade. We propose to first call on the younger men and those who can best be spared to come forward and fight for their Motherland. The «ge limit in the present appeal is therefore fixed at frem 18 to 27. This is not intended to preclude older men from coming forward who may be specially fitted for military service. We recognise that the men who come forward to fight are entitled to share in all the Motherland can offer. Steps, therefore, are being taken to ensure, as far as possible, that land will be available for the men who fought, and the necessary legislative measure is Under consideration. Recruiting will be in civilian hands, and steps will be taken to ensure that fair play shall be meted out to all.

MORE PEACE TALK. AUSTRO-lIUNGA RIAN SOCIALISTS' DEMANDS Australian and N.Z- Cable Association. AMSTERDAM, June 4. A telegram from Vienna states that a representative conference of AustroHungarian Socialists demanded the immediate convocation of the lieiclisrath to consider the Brest Litovsk and Bukharest treaties, which the conference declared was a violation of the principles jo{ peace by understanding. It was resolved to request the Central Governments to offer general peace on the basis of the establishment of a League of Nations, with general disarmament, international arbitration courts, the runciation of annexations, and the granting of full self-determination to border peoples torn from Russia.