Handwritten paraphrase copies of cipher messages between the War Office and General Maxwell, marked 'Secret', concerning Mrs. Pearse's request to be given her two sons' bodies for burial in consecrated ground. Maxwell refuses on the grounds that 'It will have to be done in all cases if done in one and Mrs. Pearse has already been refused by me–These graves will be turned by Irish sentimentality into the shrines of martyrs and there will be a constant irritant in the country caused by annual procession etc. to them'.
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Copy typescript intelligence report marked 'Secret' from Headquarters, Irish Command, to Lieutenant Colonel V.G. Kell, M.I.5.G., General Staff, War Office [London], on the 'State of Ireland' discussing recruiting levels in the country for British forces in the War, and the organisation and operation of 'the Sinn Fein Volunteer movement'. Includes tables of estimates 'of the strength of the Sinn Fein party in each County in Ireland, and the number of arms of which they are in possession' and the 'Approximate number of disloyal Sinn Fein Irish Volunteers in Dublin City'.
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Circular memorandum by J. Byrne, Inspector General, Royal Irish Constabulary to Inspectors throughout the country, relating to a conference held 'for the purpose of an interchange of views between the West-Coastal County Inspectors and the Military & Naval Authorities' (11 January 1917, 8 p.). Encloses a précis of the proceedings of the conference whose aim was to ensure 'satisfactory co-operation between the Military & Naval Forces and the Police in the event of trouble arising' ([December 1916], 6 p.).
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Typescript note from the Director of Military Intelligence [Lieutenant General Sir George Mark Watson Macdonogh] to the Under Secretary, Irish Office [Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Matthew Nathan], presenting his compliments. Informs USIO that according to War Office intelligence, 'the Germans continue to spread their propaganda in Ireland by every means in their power, through the medium of the German American - Irish elements in the U.S.A.'.
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This volume contains one issue of Ná Bac Leis, a newspaper produced by the internees in the Ballykinlar internment camp in County Down in September 1921. It also includes newspapers produced by anti-treaty forces during the Civil War. These are three issues of The Fenian: War Issue covering the period July 1922, 13 issues of the Daily Sheet covering the period November 1923 to January 1924, two copies of Poblacht Na h-Eireann: War News, No. 2, from June 29th 1922 printed in different formats, along with copies of No. 3, No. 6 and part of No. 21, two issues of War News from 1940, one issue of The Republican War Bulletin, September 1922 and two issues of Strike Bulletin from May 1926. It also contains short ephemeral material such as a leaflet entitled To The Republicans of Louth dated August 1923, a leaflet entitled Manchester Martyrs Anniversary demonstration, November 1921, several typed issues of File of Morning Post from November 1920 and March, May and June 1921, 6 issues on typed pages of an item entitled An Extract from the Liverpool Daily Post from March, May and June 1921, a leaflet entitled Dáil Eireann [1920].
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Handwritten copy of letter to Maxwell to French. Reflects on the Francis Sheehy-Skeffington case and other 'regrettable incidents' and states 'In my humble judgement the Government of Ireland is rotten from A to Z…The Irish Constabulary is a farce…a magnificent body of men certainly but singularly out of sympathy with the people…in my opinion you will never rule Ireland from Dublin Castle. There is far too much reporting & nothing happening…'.
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Handwritten and typescript copy of cipher messages marked 'Secret' between the Prime Minister in London (via 'Cinchomfor') and Dublin (via 'Commandeth') on the course of executions between 9th and 11th of May. Dublin notes 'We hope to deter by these examples & make the intriguers realise that we will not tolerate murder of loyal subjects, or any acts against the safety of the Realm'. Includes typescript report concerning the current situation with regard to 'Sinn Fein Rebels' in Dublin city 'Arrangements are being made to intern in England all Sein Feiners captured or surrendered who are not dealt with here. Also notes that 'Roger Casement has declared that Germany has sent all assistance she is going to send and this is now at the bottom of the sea'.
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Edited typescript copy of a letter marked 'Private and Confidential' from Major General R. Hutchinson to the Chief Secretary for Ireland, the Right Honourable H.E. Duke, containing Hutchinson's 'views on the situation in Ireland' in which he distinguishes and comments on the differences between extreme and moderate members of Sinn Féin; discusses police and military action with respect to drilling and/or assembly by members of Sinn Féin; the trial of 'Sinn Feiners' before courts martial and the proclaiming of Sinn Féin meetings. Includes handwritten annotations and corrections.
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Letter from Maurice Bonham Carter, Vice-Regal Lodge to Hutchison, enclosing a telegram concerning a request for an interview between Maxwell and an American correspondent 'Berry', and ways of presenting the British military response in the best light possible in order to quell anti-British feeling in America, following the executions of the leaders of the Rising.
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Copy of typescript initial report by General Maxwell to [former Secretary of State for War] Lord Kitchener, on the current military action following the surrender of the rebels. Blames the Irish Executive for 'not dealing effectively with the Sinn Fein rebellion before it came to a head'; reports on the rounding up and deportation of Sinn Féin and Irish Citizen Army members and suggests that they could 'expiate their crime by serving the Empire as soldiers…They can fight but are happily not very good shots'; refers to the courts martial and a way of dealing with the bitter feelings between the north and the south of the country.
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Holograph letter to General Maxwell from Lord French in which he refers to the execution on that day of Pearse, Clarke and MacDonagh, "The P.M. expressed himself as 'surprised' at the rapidity of the trial & sentences. I pointed out that you were carrying out your instructions exactly & correctly and in strict accordance with Military and Martial Law. He quite understands but asked me to warn you not to give the impression that all the Sinn Feiners would suffer death. I told him that the fact of 3 of them having been awarded a much less severe sentence was evidence enough of the attitude you were adopting towards them and that I thought it much better to [leave] you [alone] to your own discretion. He agreed to this…".
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Typescript letter from Major General Shaw, GHQ, Home Forces, Horse Guards, London S.W., to General Maxwell informing Maxwell that the King has approved his appointments as GOC the Forces in Ireland 'from 27 April 1916 inclusive' and that Maxwell may 'take such measures as may in your opinion be necessary for the prompt suppression of the insurrection in Ireland'. On 'matters unconnected with operations and on questions of Military and Martial Law' Maxwell will communicate directly with the War Office.
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Typescript report: 'Secret: Notes on Conference Held at Headquarters, Irish Command, Parkgate, on November, 6th, 1917'. Conference was held 'with a view to a discussion on the situation in the Country generally and especially with regard to the latest instructions…from the Government'. Attended by General Mahon, Major General R. Hutchinson [now Director of Organization, War Office] and Commanding Officers of different districts.
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Copy of typescript despatch from General Maxwell to Lord French with holograph note by Maxwell relating to Eoin MacNeill, 'I am a little perplexed what to do about this man McNeill (sic), he is no doubt one of the most prominent in the movement though I believe he did try and stop the actual rebellion taking place when it did. The Priests and politicians will try and save him–He is not tried yet'.
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