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Europe 1914

File:John Redmond 1917.JPG


A detail from Max Hastings' new book, CATASTROPHE, about events leading to war, a century ago this year.


A fellow named John Redmond, who had a reputation in the forefront of the independence movement for Ireland when the year 1914 began, forfeited that by preaching Anglo-Irish unity in the face of the Huns.


John Redmond, leader of the Irish Home Rulers, made a supremely enlightened conciliatory gesture when he declared in the House of Commons: 'there are in Ireland two large bodies of Volunteers. One of them sprang into existence in the South. I say to the Government that they may tomorrow withdraw every one of their troops from Ireland. I say that the coasts of Ireland will be defended from foreign invasion by her sons, and for this purpose armed Nationalist Catholics in the South will be only too glad to join arms with the armed Protestant Ulstermen in the North.' Redmond sat down to deafening applause, but he proved to have thus forfeited his status a the standard-bearer of Irish nationalism, and destroyed his political career."


p. 112.


Here's a toast to you, Mr. Redmond. I hope at least that you briefly enjoyed your moment and the deafening applause.
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