THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE IRISH VOLUNTEERS.
Vol. III. No. ST.] APRIL 25th, 1922 [Price Twopence.
OUR PURPOSE. kno'w our own weaknesses, and to arm ourselves against possible dangers in the future. IT is now six years since Patrick Pearse and the Nations, like men, are easily blinded with men of Easter week fired the: first shot in the national pride, and we must not lose our sense Liberatron War, and all during these six years ,of proportion because we have fought .valiantly the Irish people and the Irish Volunteers have and with success. Neither must the Army. be been jighting with all their resources, physical, given the entire credit for our success in tne moral, and intellectual, against England. At war against England. The: people and the times during that period the issue seemed Anny' presented a single front, and the moral .oubtful; at times .it seemed .as if the Natio"n forces were: just as powerful as the rifle. It was in danger of death, but for,ces mightier than should be sufficient for Irish soldiers to feel that mere human forces were fighting on our side, they have done their part and the timo for self and at the end of six years we have achieved a congratn1aJtion should: be when. complete success which most Irishmen will agree was independence is establishetl, and not now. beyond our highest hopes. Irish Volunteers must not use this breathing Our work is not yet compolete, and we, the Irish space, the first in six years, to get out of hand, Volunteers, together with the people of Ireland, to run loose through the country, even to hold the completion of that work .as i sacred violate the elementary principles of liberty trust. But the last hour's work in the day is They had better use the: present breathing space the hardest, and the last stage in this Liberation to train ,and prepare themselves for ultimate War will require the highest discipline and vl:ctory. Liberty, amongst other things, mea;ns resourcefulness as well as the highest courage. the rights of the citizen, and, at least, Irisb1 soldiers can prove their de.votion to liberty by T he history of Europe is full of examples of protecting these rights. Nations just missing greatness by reason of No Nation has shown sucb heroic aevotion some inherent defect. These Nations acted as to liberty as Ireland. From generation to great Nations up to a certain point, but the 4J. generation Irishmen have died on the battle hour of supreme trial, when all their qualities field and scafio.Jd for that ideal. Irishmen were tested to the uttennost, they failed. Some abroad 'have been the most famous soldiers of failed because they were not enduring and liberty, due to the fact that Irish liberty has patient enough; others tailed through false meant a struggle with one of the ~reatest . national pride; but one and all failed because of powers in Europe. Ireland has come to be aome inherent defect. regarded as the chief 'Apostle of Liberty. Only one thing on earth can prevent this Before we lost our liberties we were the generation of Irishmen from completing the foremost Missionary Nation for Christianity, work of liberation, and that is ourselves. If we and now we have inherited a new mission, one fail it will ber through our own weakness, not that has come to us through generations of our physical weakness, but through spiritual suffering, and it is to make manife~t liberty in weakness, and for fear we should fail it is our its highest forms. manifest duty to see ourselves as we are, to Those of us who depart from that purpose id I An C-o;stAC. word, or in tllought, or in deed, are false to! Saint.~' He tells us that the noble tradition OIf ourselves, and to our whole past as ,a. Nation. the Fianna, the first Irish soldiers, who declared In these days of Easter, 1922, when our real that- worth as an Army is being tested, it is but fitting " , We, the Fianna never told a lie, false that we should recall the- teaching as well as the hood was never imputed tOi us; strength in deeds of that group of men who made the our hands, tntth on our lips, and cleanness Rebellion of Easter Week, and especially should in ourr hearts;' the Christ like tradition of we try to understand the spirit of Patrick Pearse, COIlmcille; " for he was the grea.test of that group of men. was the most worthy tradition to be followed. Whatever views lIishmen may ha.ve as to the He he1d that the greatest of aU Irish soldiers methods which Patrick Pearse would favour welle men who acted according to that tradition, presently, all Irishmen will agree that once and they were from Sarsfield to Sean liberty was achieved, Patrick Pearse ha
The True Position of the Army.
VAST MAJORITY STAND BY G.H.Q.
in turn, appointed or ratified every other Com TELLING ANALY SI S BY CHIEF OF STAFF. missioned Officer in the Army. TIre Army was thus placed in the same positi~n, as regards the AUTHORITY OF DAIL EIREANN SUPREME Government, as all other armies. .This was our answer and justification when we were called The present position of the Army as set out in Murderers during the War. While Dail Eireann remains we are bound by our oath of allegiance the following statement, issued by the Chief to it and, if the people of It:eland at the coming of Staff, reveals the fact that O.H.O. was election decide that it should continue, then never in a stronger position than now, enjoy the position of the I.R.A. remains unchanged. big as it does the loyalty and confidence If an Executive were set up to control the Army, of a fairly equipped, well-trained and well even by the unanimous decision of the Army, disciplined Army, which has the respect such an Executive would be displaced by the new Dail on the same grounds on which the last and devotitln of a ~rateful people. Executive was displaced. Should the people The appended summary clearly demonstrates of Ireland decide on any form of Government that in 12 of the 16 Divisions O.H.Q. • has other than Diil Eireann, then the position of the 75 per cent. of the Army and in the remain loR.A. towards such Government will require ing 4 Divisions between 30 and 50 per cent. to be defined. Majority Ru le Banned. CAU S E OF THE DIVIS ION . As regards the order prohibiting the Convention, the circumstances which brought this about have The following official statement . ha~ been issued been already explained in the statement of the by the Chief of Staff :- Minister for Defence. When the order from the Since Sunday, 26th March, a number of Division Dail Cabinet arrived prohibiting the Convention, and Brigade Conventions and Mobilisations were G.H.Q. had either to obey or resign. Resignation held. Owing to the gross and wilful misrepre would have been a breach of faith to the authority sentations which were made in the Press and to which we swore to bear true faith. The Con -otherwise against G.H.Q., I.R.A., it is considered vention was agreed to in hopes of unity in the necessary to place the true position of the I.R.A. Army, but it became quite patent, owing to before the officers and men. happenings throughout the country, that a Con vention, instead of bringing unity, would only give definite shape to the differences that then Allegiance Pledged to An Dail. existed. In fact, when Commandant O'Connor Previous to the establishment of Dail Eireann was asked at a meeting if he would accept a as the supreme Governing Body in Ireland, the majority decision of the Convention if it were Army was controlled by an Executive elected unfavourable to his policy, he said" NO," hence annually. When the Dan Cabinet was appointed, it is clear the Convention could not bring unity; a Ministry for Defence was created, and the control moreover, the great majority of ·the Army would of the Army passed from the Executive to the not agree with many of the decisions of the Con Government, and every soldier in Ireland took vention as published in the press, nor with the an oath of allegiance to the Dail. The Minister policy illdicated by the aCtions of those acting for Defence appointed the Chief of Staff, wbo, under the Execulive since the Convention. .0.11 t;-c):sLAic.
Efforts towards Unity. their guns on one another. The I.R.A. standing with the lawfully-constituted authority, G.H.Q .• Mr. O'Connor stated at Rathfarnham on Sunday have honoured this statement, and showed them that his side had done their utmost to secure selves worthy of the hitherto unblemished record unity in the Army. The opposite is true. His of the LR.A. during the past few terrible years. side has done everything possible to break the It is painful, however, to think that even a section unity of the Army, and every effort for unity of the Army of which Ireland was so proud should on the part of G.H.Q. has been frustrated. be guilty of such conduct as the last few weeks Previous to the Convention, meeting after meeting and conference after conference between the prin witnessed. cipal Army Officers were held in Dublin and else where, and every such meeting and conference The Dictatorship in Practice. was held at the instigation of G.H.Q. It was Our barracks and posts in Dublin are attacked even agreed to allow a Watching Council to attend nightly with machine gun, rifle fire and bombs. meetings of G.H.Q. Staff. On the Monday previous Our lorries conveying supplies to our Depots are to the Convention the Minister for Defence and ambushed. Our uniformed despatch riders are Chief of Staff attended a meeting of the 1st fired on. Attempts have been made to destroy Southern Divisional Staff and Brigade Com the Quartermaster-General's Stores and to murder mandants in a last effort to find agreement, and the few faithful Volunteers guarding them. Our we succeeded. The follovving agreement was sentries have been shot; Volunteers, like Captain arrived at between the Minister for Defence, Hurley in Galway, have been treated in a most Chief of Staff, and 1st Southern Divisional Staff :- callous and cowardly fashion. Our soldiers in the streets have been attacked. Two members "A meeting of Divisional and Brigade of G.H.Q. Staff, the Adjutant-General and Director Commandants with G.H.Q. Staff to be held in of Intelligence, have been fired on by men in Dublin on Thursday, 23rd March. Such uniform carrying rifles and bombs. The plant meeting to select, from among the Divisional and premises of the Freeman's Journal have been and Brigade Commandants, a Council of eight destroyed, and the journal suppressed because it commissioned to frame definite proposals for published an official communique from G.H.Q. associating the LR.A. with any Government for the benefit of the Volunteers who might be elected by the Irish people, and to put such misled by the many misrepresentations made. proposals before the Divisional and Brigade Railway lines have been cut which might involve Commandants for agreemenL preparatory to the lives of hundreds of Irish citizens on their putting them before the Government." way to public meetings. _ Gunmen have been discovered in secret positions convenient to Oriel Mutineers Cause Army Split. House, Amiens Street Station, and other posts. The O/ C. 1st Southern Division promised to Disgraceful scenes have been connived at or .ecommend the :erms of this agreement to a carried out by officers in uniform at public meetings meeting of Divi:nonal and Brigade Commandants in Castlebar, etc. Wholesale arrests and kid of his side, to be held in Dublin on the following napping of officers and men who are loyal to Wednesday (four days before Convention). Meeting G.H.Q. have bee~ carried out, and, before being , of Divisional and Brigade Commandants was held, released, these officers had to resort to hunger but the agreement was not even mentioned at the strike, many such officers being still detained. meeting, nor were the Officers told that the The lives of our officers in some parts of the country Minister for Defence or Chief of Staff were in Cork have been threatened. They have been dragged at all. The reason given by the O/C. 1st Southern out of bed in the middle of the ni -:-ht and treated Division for not producing the agreement is unmercifully, and at the present moment, in the that a Clause requesting that recruiting for the South and West of Ireland, several officers are Civic Guard should cease was not inserted. No " on the run," and cannot return to their hllmes such clause was suggested in the agreement at our under penalty of being shot. Banks h;we teen meeting in Cork. Those who advised the OIC robbed and foodstuffs confiscated under the guise 1st Southern Division not to bring the terms of of the Belfast Boycott. Fowler Hall, presumably the agreement before the meeting referred to the Headquarters of the Belfast Boycott Com above are very largely responsible for the Army mittee, is closely associated with the mutinous SpUt. The Army, free from outside influences, section of the Army. Meetings of the mutineers could agree. have been held there, and, after activities in the In the last statement, issued before the Con city, some of the participants were noticed to g~ vention, it waS aid the Volunteers would not turn there direct. A tl 'C-05tAC. 5
The foregoing will indicate how very little hope . in the 1st Southern Division. 75 per cent. of such there was for an agreement at a Convention, the Guns are m the North. demand for which was signed by the· principal The motive for such allegations is very sinister, Qfficers of the present Executive. Under no but our sorely-tried people in the North know circumstances could G.H.Q., or those who stand who stood by them, and who will stand by them . by G.H.Q., agree to such a policy. In not a single again, please God, if occasion demands. 'The i.nstance have our soldiers standing by G.H.Q. author of above falsehood is a refugee from acted in a provocative or indisciplined manner, Belfast who deserted his Division for a position even after attacks had been made on our troops. on the Arrriy Executive Staff in the safer atmo Men found carrying arms, who took part in those sphere of Dublin. attacks, were arrested on the spot. Their release Regarding the statement of the Executive that was ordered, and, in some cases, their revolvers 90 per cent. of the Army stood with the Executive, were not even taken from them, but there is a the following will go to show how far this is limit to the patience of our troops, and it cannot correct :- be expected that such conduct can continue to go unpunished. lst ~ O RTHERN DIVISION (TYRCONNELL), FOUR BRIGADES. Who St~od by the North? At a Convention held in Ballybofey, 250 officers In an official statement recently issued by (Divisional Brigade, Battalion and Company) Director of Publicity, Four Courts, it is insinuated were present. The entire Divisional Staff-Com that only those higher Officers who are now mandant, Adjutil.nt, . Quartemiaster. and the mutinous "fought in Flying Columns during Directors of all the special services, except the War and suffered privatIons." It is not Engineering, are loyal to G.H.Q. desired to go into this allegation except to say that the War records of the loyal Divisional No. 1 Brigade.-Entire Brigade Staff, except the Commandants will bear examination. How Vice-Commandant, loyal to many of the following Officers were "basking G.H.Q. in pompous luxury with no thought or desire to No. 1 Battalion.-Stafi and all Company Staffs help in the fray" ? - and men loyal to G.H.Q. .. No.2 Battalion.-Staff and all Company Staffa Commandant General of the 1st Northern Div. and men loyal to G.H.Q. 2nd No.3 ' Battalion.-Staff and the majority ot 3rd the Company Staffs and men 4th loyal to G.H.Q. 5th· 1st Eastern No.2 Brigade.-Brigade Staff against G.H.Q. 2nd (Peader O'Donnell, who is a Midland member of the Executive, has 1st Western " been Brigade Commandant 3rd Southern " here). Another false statement which is gaining No: 1 Battalion.-The whole Battalion Staffs currency is-that large numbers of Thompson and all Company Staffs and Guns and Ammunition, the property of the 1st men loyal to G.H.Q. Southern Division, consigned to the North, were No.2 Battalion.-Staff, except Engineer, and held at G.H.Q. and diverted elsewhere. The all Companies, except two, facts are:- loyal to G.H.Q. No. 3 Battalion. .!.-Stafi and all Companies 1. No Arms or Ammunition of any sort, the. except two, loyal to G.H.Q. property of any Division in Ireland, was ever held No. 4 Battalion.-Staff and all Companies up at G.H.Q. on its way to the North. and men loyal to G.H.Q. 2. At the present moment a number of Thomp- No. 5 Battalion.-Staff and all Companies and son Guns and Ammunition and other Arms, the men loyal to G.H.Q. property of G.H.Q., and earmarked for the North . (previous to the Treaty), is held in 1st Southern ' ·No. 3 Brigade.-All Brigade Staff, except the Vice- Division. . Commandant, loyal to G.H.Q. 3. No Thompson Guns came into Ireland No.1 Battalion.-Majority of Officers and men lately, but,. leaving out of consideration those held loyal to G.H.Q. 6 A" 'C-ostAC. No. 2 Battalion.-Staff, except Quartennaster, 3rd NORTHERN DIVISION (BELFAST, ANTR IM, and all Companies, except one, loyal to G.H.Q. AND DOWN), THREE BRIGADES. No. 3 Battalion.-Staff and all Company Staffs and men loyal to G.H.Q. The Divisional Commandant attended the sectional No.4 Battalion.-Majority of Battalion, Staff Convention and brought with him the Brigade .and Companies loyal to Commandant and otl~er Delegates. His G.H.Q. action has since been repudIated by all three Brigades in writing, and the Brigade Commandants, who were No. 4 Brigade.-All Brigade Staff, suspended by G.H.Q., have been re except Com instated. mandant and The Divisional Commandant was Adjutant, loyal repudiated to G.H.Q. In this by the following members of Divisional case, the Staff Brigade Commandant, :-Ouartermaster, Director of Training, S. Director S. O'Flal;ierty, was ~of Engineering, Director of Signa?ing, appointed Director Divisional Commandanc of Intelligence, Director of ChemIcals, by the Director Executive. He was afterwards of Medical Service, Director of Com displaced. munications, Commandant 1st Brigade and Staff, Commandant No. 1 Battalion.-All Battalion Staff, except 2nd Brigade and Staff, .commandant 3rd Brigade the Commandant and Quarter and Staff. There was then no per master, and all Companies, manent Divisional Adjutant: A new Divisional Commandant except two, loyal to G.H.Q. and Adjutant were appointed by the Executive, but each No. 2 Battalion.-Staff, e~cept the Com of these is now loyal to G.H.Q. The signed mandant, and all eight Com document, which is now in our possession, panies and Staffs loyal to states that the late Division~. ~om G.H.Q. mandant deliberately misled the DIVlsIOnal Brigade Officers. No. 3 Battalion.-Ali Battalion Officers and Companies loyal to G.H.Q. In this Division 90 per cent. of the Army are loyal to their 4th N ORTHERN DIVISION (ARMAGH AND old Headquarters. It was LOUTH) THREE BRIGADES. necessary to €fo to Cork for a new Divisional Executive, and Entire Divisional Staff men are being recruited who loyal to G.H.Q. never had any connection No. 1 Brigade.- Two Battalions disloyal. Officers with the I.R.A. before. refuse to hear G.H.Q. side of the question. 'We have con 2nd NORTHERN DIVISION (TYRONE AND fidence, however, in the rank DERRY), FOUR BRIGADES. and file if they be not denied their right to hear the true The entire Divisional Staff, except, perhaps, the position. Quartennastt:r, are loyal to G.H.Q. No. 2 Brigade.-Brigade and Battalion and Com No.1 and No. 2 Brigades.-Owing to misunder- pany Staffs and men loyal to standing, these areas went G.H.Q. with the Executive, but are No.3 now returning as rapidly as Brigade.-Brigade and Battalion and Com they left. Every day brings pany Staffs and men loyal to correspondence from Bat G.H.Q. talion and Company Officers' renewing their allegiance and that of the rank and file to 5th NORTHERN DIVISION (MONAGHAN AND GR.Q. CAVAN). THREE BRIGADES. No.3 Brigade.- Brigadier with Executive, .but All members of Divisional Staff loyal to G.H.Q. entire Brigade has SlUce repiudated him. No. 1 Brigade.-All Brigade, Battalion and Com pany -Staffs, and' ever No.4 Brigade.-SoIid with G.H.Q. y Soldier in an~a loyal toG.H.Q An t:-o;stAC. 7 No. 2 B rigade.- All Brigade Staff, except the No.6 Brigade.-All Brigade Staff loyal ex-Vice-Commandant, to G.H.Q. loyal to All Battalions and G.H.Q. Companies loyal with the exception No.1 Battalion.-All Battalion of a and Company section of one Company. . Officers and men loyal to G.H.Q. No.7 Brigade.-All Brigade Staff, and overwhelm No.2 Battalion.-All Ba,ttalion and Company ing majority of Battalion Officers and men, with a few Companies and men loyal t o exceptions, loyal to G.H.Q. G.H.Q., but a number of No.3 Battalion.-All Battalion Staff loyal to Battalion and Company G.H.Q. In this Battalion Officers and men are causing Area advantage was taken of trouble principally owing to the Army split by some dis grievances of ex-internees, affected people to re-establish and it is between the farming themselves, but the old and labour section of the Volunteer outlook will pre community. This trouble vail. arose .previous to Army split No. 3 Brlgade.-All Brigade, Battalion and Com and of course took more pany Officers and men loyal definite shape afterwards. to G.H.Q. No. 8 Brigade.-All Brigade Staff loyal to G.H.Q. No. 1 Battalion.-All 1st EASTERN DIV ISION (MEATH, . WEST Battalion Staff and all Companies loyal MEATH, AND KILDARE) NINE BRIG to G.H.Q., ADES . except three men. No.2 Battalion-All The entire Divisional Staff loyal to G.H.Q. Battalion Staff and all . Companies loyal to G.H.Q., No. 1 Brigade.-All Brigade Staff, except In- except thre~ men. telligence Officer, loyal to No. 3 Battalion.-Only about 50 men in this G.H.Q., and three out of four Battalion altogether. Com Battalions. The remaining mandant and half the men Battalion St'll.ff are disloyal, with G.H.Q. Majority of this but the majority of the rank Battalion joined regular and file stand with G.H.Q. forces. MALAHIDE and CLOGHRAN No.2 Brig Companies with ade.- All Brigade Staff with G.H.Q. G.H.Q. All four Battalions 'with No.4 Battalion-All Battalion Staff and all G. H. Q., except one Com Companies loyal to G.H.Q. pany, which has a local grievance. No.9 Brigade.-Brigade Staff disbanded previous to Army No.3 Brigade. split owing to -All Brigade Staff with G. H.Q. financial troubles. Commandant Nos. 1 resigned. All and 2 Brigades 80 per cent. six Battalio ns consisting 01 of the men are loyal. In No. ~8 Companies loyal to G.H.Q. 3 Battalion all the Battalion No. 4 Brigade.-All Brigade Staff, Battalion Staffs Officers, Company Officers and and Company Officers and men with G.H.Q. men loyal to G.H.Q. 2nd EASTERN DlVISION.-- DUBLlN No.5 Brigade.-This Brigade (Mullingar) disloyal. TWO BRIGADE There are only three small S. Battalio ns in Brigade. In No. 1 Brigade.- In this area, as all Brigade Staff No . 2 Battalion (Kinnegad), are disloyal, the majority 110 of out o f 175 men stand Battalion and Company with G.H.Q. I n No. 3 Officers followed. Battalion (Castlepollard), 133 In all fourteen Captains remain loyal to G.H.Q. out of 224 stand with G.H.Q. No. 1 Battalion (town) has No. 1 B attalion.- 250 out of 750 are loyaL not yet been organised. No. 2 Battalion.-400 out of 500 are loyal. 8 An t::-6St .~ C.
No.3 Battalion.-900 out of 1,200 are loyal. North Wexford.-Brigade Commandant, Vice No. ~ Battalion.-250 out of 350 are loyal. Commandant, Quartermaster, Assistant Quartermaster, Trans No.5 Battalion.-100 out of 350 are loyal in port Officer and Medical Officer, this Battalion the majority of remainder loyal to G.R.Q. retired altogether. In all, 1,900 out of 3,150 men from the 1st Dublin Brigade stand by G.R.Q., and this figure does not include 920 No. 1 Battalion.-Majority of Staff diSloyal. men who joined the City" Guard" Battalion, but new appointments made which brings the total !or the 1st Dublin and Companies again working Brigade to 2,820 men. under new Officers. Four The figures given above may not represent Companies and Sta.ffs entirely the present strength of the disloyal forces, loyal, and 85 per cent. of the being based as nearly as possible to pre-truce remaining three Com panies figures. loyal, notwithstanding the disloyalty of the Officers . ... 2 Brigade.-In this area the Brigade Quarter master, Intelligence Officer, No.2 Battalion.-Majority of the Battalion Medical Officer, Director of Staff disloyal, but a large Signalling, a~d Acting Brigade rna jority of the men with Adjutant, remain loyal to G.R.Q. G.R.Q. No. 1 Battalion.-All Battalion Staff, except No.3 Battalion.-All Battalion Staff, and 75 Vice-Commandant, and five per cent. of the men loyal to out of eight Company G.R.Q. Captains, and ~50 cut of 400 • men loyal to G.R.Q. No. 4 Battalion.-The majority of the BattalioJl No.2 Battalion.- The Staff disloyal, but 100 Staff disloyal, but 60 per cent. out of 380 men loyal to of the men with G.R.Q. G.R.Q. No.3 Battalion.-The Staff disloyal, but 150 Carlow.-Brigade Staff with exception of the out of 350 men loyal to Vice-Commandant, loyal to G.R.Q. G.R.Q. No. ~ Battalion.-The Staff loyal, and all Captains except one. lst Battalion.-Staff loyal with exception of No. 5 Battalion.-Staff loyal, and all Captains except one. In Nos. 4 and 5 of the Vice-Commandant Battalions, 650 men are loyal and Intelligence Officer. out of 750. In this Brigade Eight out of ten Companies area, the majority of those stand with G.H.Q. not loyal to G.R.Q. are in active. 2nd Battalion.-All Battalion Staff and Com panies loyal to G.H.Q. Nos. I and 2 Dublin Brigades Wll~ Fingal Brigade, now constitute the 2nd Eastern ?ivision. 3rd Battalion.-Staff disloyal, but a new Staff Complete Divisional, Brigade, BattallOn and has been appointed, and is Company Staffs hav~ been.set up,. and the entire working satisfactorily. Six Division is now working satisfactorily. out of eleven Companies are loyal to G.H.Q. 3rd EASTERN DlVISION.- WEXFORD AND CARLOW. 4th Battalion.-With the exception of the Commandant all the Battalion South Wexford.-Brigade and Battalion taffs Staff are loyal, also five out disloyal. Cannot speak for tbe of eight Companies. rank and file, as no effort has yet been made by G.H.Q. to 5th Battalion.-AII Battalion Staff loyal, and put the position before them. six out of 7 Com anies. An C-6'StAC. 9
.. Battalion.-All Battalion Staff loyal. The 1st WESTERN DIVISION. majority of the Companies have not yet expressed their Clare and part of Galway; Entire Divisional opinion on either side. The Staff, with one exception, loyal to G.H.Q. Brigade Commandant is satisfied that once the situa South-West Galway Brigade.-Majority of Brigade tion is put before the men Staff disloyal. Newappoint there will be no further ments made. trouble. In all 2,454 men No.1 Battalion.-Majority of Battalion Staff stand by G.H.Q. In this loyal, and all Companies area considerable annoyance except one. is caused by a band of men who parade nightly carrying No.2 Battalion.-Majority of Battalion ~taff arms, breaking into houses, loyal, and all Companies and committing acts of except a section of one. violence and robbery. A few weeks ago General Head No.3 Battalion.-Majority of Battalion Staff quarters' Post at Tullow loyal, and all Companies was attacked by between 50 except sections of two. and 60 armed men. The garrison consisted of only No.4 Battalion.-Majority of Battalion Staff ten soldiers and an Officer. loyal, and sixty per cent. After a fight lasting 11 hours, of men. Remainder the garrison succeeded in mostly joined up since .driving off the attackers, the Truce. and a section of the ten men left the barracks and pursued No.5 Battalion.-Majority of Battalion Staff the attackers for a con disloyal, but Battalion siderable distance, wounding recruited and formed up a number of them. This since the Truce. outpost has not since been interfered with. South-East Galway Brigade.-All Brigade Staff loyal to G.H.Q. MIDLAND D1VISION.-LONGFORD, LEITRIM, No.1 Battalion.-All Battalion Staff, Comdt., and Companies, except AND FERMANAGH. half Company, loyal.
The entire Divisional, Brigade, Battalion, and No.2 Battalion.-All Battalion Staff and all Company Officers and men In this Division are Companies except sec .. loyal to G.H.Q., with the exception of Athlone tions of two loyal. area and a few disaffected individuals in other No. 8 Battalion.-All Battalion Staff, ~xcept areas in Athlone. New Brigade, Battalion, and Vice-Comdt., and all Company Staffs are set up, and the Brigade is Companies, except three, now functioning as if there been no break. loyal. No.4 Battalion.-Majority of Battalion Staff The ~rigadier-Commandant Adamson was and Companies loyal to shot dead while walking alone in Athlone street G.H.Q. on Monday night. No. Ii Battalion.-Stafi, except Adjutant, The four \Vestern Divisions and the 1st loyal, and Compa.nid, except sections of two. Southern Division have not yet been visited but from reports received we are in a position No.6 Battalion.-Majority of Battalion su. to give an idea of the position in these areas. and Companies loyal. 10 An t:-C):stAC.
West Clare Brigade.-Commandant and Quarter Drumkeeran Battalion.-All Compq..nies loyal master disloyal. to G.H.Q. Crossna Battalion.-All CQompanies loyal to No.1 Battalion.-Fifty per cent. loyal. G.H.Q. except, per haps, two. NQo. 3 No.2 Battalion.-Seventy per cent. lQoyal. Brigade Staff entirely No.3 Battalion.-Ninety per cent. loyal. loyal to G.H.Q. Boyle Battalion.-Battalion Staff and all No.4 Battaliol1.-Ninety per cent. loyal. Companies loyal to No.5 Battalion.-Twenty per cent. loyal. G.H .Q . Elphin Battalion.-B:'.ttalion Staff and all Companies loyal to Mid Clare Brigade.-Majority of Brigade Staff G.H.Q. disloyal. New appointments Strokestown Battaliol1.-Battalion Staff and made. all CQompanies loyal t() G.H.Q. No. 1 Battalion.-Fifty per cent. loyal. Carrick-on-Shannon Battalion.-Battalion No.2 Battaliotl.-Fifty per cent. loyal. Staff and all Com No. 3 Battalion.-Ninety per cent. loyal. panies loyal to G.H.Q. Tubercorry Battalion.-Battalion Staff and all No.4 Battalion.-Eighty per cent. loyal CQompanies lo,yal to No.5 Battalion.-Fifty per cent. loyal. G.H.Q. Collooney Battalion.-Fol1I Companies loyal No. 6 Battalion.-Sixty per cent. loyal. to G.H.Q. and four disfoyaI. East Clare Brigade.-Entire Brigade Staff, six Bal1ymo~ Battalion.-i\ll nine Companies Battalion Staffs and 90 per loyal to G.H.Q. with cent. of the Companies loyal. exception of 11< few. small sections·. Gurteen Battalion.-All Battalion Staff and. 2nd WESTERN DIVISION. all seven Companies. This Division is not yet organised except South loyal to G.H.Q. Roscommon Brigade, which Brigade has come Swinford Battalion.-Loyal to G.H.Q. over entirely to G.H.Q. with exception of a small section in the neighbourhood of Athlone. Carracastle Battalion.-LQoyal tOo G.H.Q.
A few Battalions in this Division have not 3rd WESTERN DIVISION. yet been reported on, but it may be assumed that they will follow the overwhelmin" majority- This Division went entirely w.ith the Executive, of the Army in this Division. . but there has been a landslide since.
Bundoran Battalion.-Two out of three 4th WESTERN DIVISION. Companies loyal to G.H.Q. The Area is being visited on Thursday, 27th.. Manorhamilton Battalion.-Battalion Staff inst. Reports received from the different and all seven Com- Battalions are satisfactory. panies loyal to G.H.Q. In Nos. 2, 3 and 4- WESTE~N DIVISIONS and Garri on Battalion.-Staff and all six Com 1st SOUTHERN DIVISION, the entire DivisionaL panies loyal to G.H.Q. Staffs being disloyal and largely instrumental in Baltinton-her Battaiion.-All Companies loyal causing the split, naturally other Officers followed. to G.H.Q. except one. the lead given them, but as the cloud of misrepre sentation is being broken the subordinate Officers, Ri\'erstown Battalion.-All Companies Joyal and rank and file are beginning to realise how to G.H.Q except two. they have been led astray. I
1st SOUTHERN DIVISION. Waterford Brigade.- The Divisional and Brigade Staffs in this Area Being re-organised, but as' Organiser has been are disloyal, but from a very large numbe~ of arrested, reports have not Battalion Areas reports have been receIved come to hand. Although a showing the desire of the rank and file to stand number of Senior Officers are by their old G.H.Q. disloyal, 75 per cent. · of Junior Officers and men are Cork No. 1 Brigade.- loyal to G.H.Q. 1st Battalion.-In "C" Company alone 120 men are loyal to G.H.Q. Kerry No. 1 Brigade.- In the 4th Battalion seven out No.2 Battalion.-Battalion Staff and all Com of nine Companies are loyal. panies loyal to G.H.Q. The 8th Battalion is loyal No.6 Battalion.-Battalion Staff and all Com to G.H.Q. In the 10th panies loyal to G.H.Q. Battalion, six Companies are No Reports from other Battalions. loyal. In the other Battalion Areas reports have not yet Kerry No. 2 Brigade.- come to and except from isolated Companies. No reports to hand as yet except from 5th Battalion, where overwhelm Cork No.2 Brigade.- ing majority of the men are loyal to G.H.Q. No. 1 Battalion.-Majority of rank and file loyal. Kerry No. 3 Brigade.- No.2 Battalion.-Majority of Companies loyal. No.3 Battalion.-Battalion Staff and five out to G.H.Q. of seven Companies loyal. No.3 Battalion.-Six out of seven Companies No reports from other Battalions. loyal to G.H.Q. . . No reports from remainder of Companies nor Cork No.3 Brigade.- from West Limerick. No.1 Battalion.-All Battalion Staff and Com panies loyal. 2nd SOUTHERN DIVISION. No. 3 Battalion.-Majority in each of nine The Divisional Staff was disbanded for dis Companies loyal. No re- loyalty some !nonths previous to the nvention. ports from other Battalions. Since then the area has been re-orgarused, and a number of Units are reporting direct to G.H.Q. Cork No.4 Brigade. Being re-organised. Reports very satisfactory. Kilkenny Brigade.- The Brigade Commandant remained loyal to G.H.Q., and Cork No.5 Brigade. disloyal members of the Staff Two of Brigade Staff loyal. have been replaced. No. 1 Battalion.-Staff disloyal. New Staff set No. 1 Battalion.-Reports not yet to hand, up. Three Companies entirely but majority loyal. loyal; two Companies fJty per cent. loyal, and remain No.2 Battalion.-Battalion Staff and six Com ing two Companies are being panies out of eight loyal. re-organised. Remainder of Battalion un No. 2 Battalion.-Commandant disloyal. Vice decided. Commandant and Quarter master successfully re-organ No. 3 Battalion.-Ali Companies loyal except ising Battalion. Large one. Qut of a parade of 250 majority of five Companies in this Battalion, 231 stood loyal. byG.H.Q. No. 3 Battalion.-Commandant, Vice-Commau dant, and Quartermaster, and No reports from other Battalions. all Companies loyal. 12 An t::-OStAC.
No.4 BaValion.-Commandant, Adjutant, and No. 4 Battalion.-All Battalion Staff, except five out of seven Companies Vice-Commandant and five loyal. out of six Companies loyal No report on remaining Battalions. The area toG.H.Q. is being visited. In other Battalion Areas the majority of the Officers are disloyal, but arrangements are East Limerick Brigade.-Brigade Staff and all six being made to get new Battalion Staffs Battalions and attached Com from the loyal rank and :ile. panies loyal. Mid. Limerick Brigade.-This Brigade Staff, except Lelx No. 1 Brigade.- the Brigade Quartermaster, was Brigade, Battalion, and Company Staffs and suspended for disloyalty pre men, with a few exceptions, vious to the Convention. The loyal to G.H.Q. area has since been amalgamated with East Limerick. New Leix No.2 Brlgade.- Brigade, Battalion, and Com pany Officers have been Brigade, Battalion, and Company Staffs and appointed, and all are now men loyal to G.H.Q. working satisfactorily. In these Areas the Officers went with the South Tipperary Brigade.-This Brigade acted Executive owing to gross misrepresenta in contravention of the Orders tion of facts, but have since returned. of G.H.Q., even previous to the ratification of the Treaty. Offally No. 1 Brigade.- G.H.Q. is at present in touch Brigade Commandant and Adjutant loyal. with all the Battalions in this Remainder disloyal and re area, and from reports it is placed. Officers' standing evident that the rank and file by G.H.Q. are being arrested are loyal to G.H.Q. Several in this Area. hundred Volunteers from South Tipperary have signified their Offally No. 2 Brigade.- desire to join the Regular Army Brigade Staff disloyal. All 3rd Battalion and under G.H.Q. 50 per cent. of the remainder Mid. Tipperary Brigade.-Majority Brigade Staff loyal to G.R.Q. disloyal. New Staff appointed. No.1 Battalion.-Battalion and Companies Staff are loyal. No.2 Battalion.-Battalion and Companies THE ARMY AS IT IS. Staff are loyal. No.3 Battalion.-Not yet re-organised, but The above summary indicates the position of from reports the majority are the IR.A. In 12 out of the 16 Divisions loyal to G.H.Q. 6.H.Q. has 75 per cent. 01 the Army, and In In all, eighteen out of twenty Companies in the remaining four Divisions between 30 and the Brigade stand by G.H.Q. 50 per cent. Organisation is difficult owing to the Organisers and loyal Officers being arrested 3rd SOUTHERN DIVISION. on no other charge than that they have the courage to stand by G.H.Q. Those Officers All Divisional Staff in this Area, except the who have not gone on hunger-strike are still 1.0., loyal to G.H.Q. detained. How different is the treatment meted npperary No. r Brigade.- out by G.H.Q., who have released mutinous All Brigade Staff loyal to G.H.Q. troops found carrying a:rms in the vicinity of No. 1 :6attalion.-Battalion Staff, except attacks, and who are found in possession of Commandant and Vice-Com stolen motor cars. mandant, and three out of 6.H.Q. was never in a stronger position than five Companies, loyal to now, enjoying, as it does, the loyalty and G.H.Q. confidence 01 a fairly equipped, well-trained, al\d No.2 Battalion.-A1l Staff with G.H.Q., and well-diSCiplined Army, which has the respect and all Companies except one. devotion of a grateful people. An C-O~lAc. ]3
~ ...... IRISH . OFFICER MURDERED. * EASTER WEEK, 1922 * Distinguished Soldier's Tragic End. ;; U U In the death of Brigadier-General Adamson, * - .* O.C., Athlone Brigade, the Irish Army loses one .U Many Attacks on Irish Soldiers. ~ of its most chivalrous and distinguished officers. On Monday, midnight, Brigadier Adamson was * SUNDAY .- Armed men from 44 Parnell * held up by an armed party in the streets of Athlone, * ,i~ Square, Dublin, attempted to seize car * and called upon to put his hands up. He complied * ~ in which Mr. M. Collins and the * with the order, and was then done to death in a * Adjutant-General of the I.R.A. had * cowardly and callous fashion. A revolver was * travelled. A bomb and revolver found * placed against his head and discharged. He fell * on prisoner taken by Mr. M. Collins. * mortally wounded, and died ten hours later. MW MONDA Y.-G. H. Q. (Beggar's Bush *N. The late Brigadier Adamson earned a high ~ Barracks) enfiladed by rifle fire from * record for valour during the late war in Ireland. He w I several nuints. also took part in the European war, and was MXX Lieut." Wilson (motor-cycling) fired * awarded the D.C. M. of the British Army for W at in Rathmines Road. No. conspicuous gallantry on the field. The crime * Cill-Droichid I.R.A. Barracks at- n caused a sensation in Athlone, where the deceased * tacked. n officer had earned general esteem and respect. *No. Sentries at Tallaght Aerodrome *w While leaving a shop in Dunshaughlin, XX fired upon. * Brigadier-Adjutant Dunne, 1st Meath Brigade" W Five armed men found crouching No. was attacked by an armed party, who ordered * near guard at Amiens St. Station. V": him to put his hands up, which he declined to do * Shots exchanged with guard. tl He was then fired upon at point-blank range, * Bde. Comdt. John Linehan and n and seriously wounded in the chest. The wounded *M Vice-Comdt. D. Crowley seized by w~* officer has been t aken to a Dublin hospital for W armed men in Kenmare while A No. ~ treatment. W organising for G.H.Q. v ~ One of the most deplorable features of these tt TUESDAY.- Troops at Wellington Bar- ~ attacks is, that Irishmen have been found to fire XX \,\ racks fired upon. One of the guard * upon their fellow-countrymen in the ranks of the W wounded. Several shots fired at % National Army. * Dundrum Barracks. : : * Sergt. of the I.R.A. fired on at 1; ~. NOTES ON TRAINING. * Mount St. Bridge. *' * WEDNESDAY.- Guard at the following *'* THE REVOLVER. * posts sniped at :-Thompson's * It must be clearly understood that the revolver * Garage, Hopkins and Hopkins, City * is a short range weapon, effective up to 75 yards. * Hall, Bank of Ireland, Transport * The steadying influences of the use of both hands * Depot, South Wall, Telephone Ex- * ana the shoulder rest, as with the rifle are lacking, * change (one of the guard wounded). * and it is t herefore absolutely necessary that the * THURSDAY .- Party of I.R.A. troops * recruit becomes familiar with certain principles * taking rations from Wellington * before he can shoot accuratly with .the revolver, *' Barracks to an outpost fired on i& * The cleaning and oiling of the weapon have an * Bachelor's Walk, Capel Street (where * important bearing upon its accuracy. When * fire came from roofs of h o u~es and * an action is over, or as soon after as possible the * windows), aad Halston Street. * " piece" should be thoroughly cleaned and * Lieut. Wynne fired on in College * oiled, this will reduce labour and eliminate the * Green. * possibility of the weapon becoming "pitted" * Wellington Barracks attacked with * that is the formation of rust in the barrel, or tiny * machine guns and bombs. Three of * holes which will eventually mar its accuracy. * the ga rri s~m wounded. * In LOADING the cartridges should be firmly * FRIDAY .-Sergt. Murray fired on while * pressed down in the chambers of the cylinders so * cycling along Haddlngton Road. * that the rims or the cartridges will not strike the ~ ~~ frame when the cylinder is in position. The *~~~~m<';·tN '{ hammer should then be artiall cocked so as tc- .. 14 An C-O:stAC. e,nable the operator to spin t he cylinder, thereby (2) The ground should be carefully s tudied by making sure that the cartridges will dear the daly. frame. (3) Patrols should net " DO go out until they have UBLE ACTION " should never b e used. their " night eyes." By double action is meant the cocking of the (4) While the value of cover and hammer by squee the need for zing on the trigger until the caution should be fully hammer is m understood, men. echanically cocked and fired. This shou ld also realise what t