Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-16
sD0Rh REDMOND PRAISES
RECORD OF IRISH TROOPS
sGermany's Invitation OF Friendship,
He Says, Was Indignantly
Refused.
SIR ROGER EASEMENT IN PERIL
Set Upon by Prisoners When They
Learn Identity of Speaker-Proud
OF Sacrifice Of His People to Sue
cor Empire.

OF Sacrifice Of His People TO Sue
cor Empire.
Especial Cable to The Times Dispatch ]
LONDON. May l5.--John Redmond.
the Irish leader in special interview
at the House of Commons to-day,
connected with Ireland and the war.
Redmond at FIRST referred to the white
paper recently published, describing the
treatment of prisoners In Germany.
You will see" he said. the state
nsent OF Major c. b. vandeleur. wherein
1t is recorded that Irish prisoners were
separated from others and given better
treatment. They were told Germany
was their friend. but this invitation of
friendship was Indignantly refused"
Redmond's voice and mien revealed
his admiration for his loyal young
countrymen. Then followed this most
interesting revelation about Sir Roger
Easement:
II am told Sir Roger was sent by tho
Germans to address Irish prisoners At
hrst they listened, unaware of the
Speakers identity. AS soon as they
realized the speaker was none other
than Sir Roger Easement they set upon
him
The conclusion OF the incident" re-
marked Redmond. with unmistakable
glee, was that the Prussian Guard had
to be called out to extricate Sir Roger
from peril OF his life.
1T shows Germanys utter ignorance
OF Ireland; that she should have con-
sidered Sir Roger Easement to he a
genuine Irish type. They have actually
labeled him a Nationalist leader Why,
M ha 81
parish council in Ireland to-day"
The Irish leader naturally gave a
word OF unstinted appreciation of the
Irish troope
SUFFERED MORE THAN
ANY OTHER REGIMENTS
Their record has been magnificent"
he declared. They probably have SUI
Tered more than any other regiments
In the army. This has always been So
about an English officer who was
asked his opinion OF the Irish troops.
oh, he replied. they are magnificent
hshters. but rotten soldiers. When they
receive the order TO retire their answer
as, Well be id II We will"
Redmond's name must be an ana
xhema in Prussian circles these DAYS.
The Germans had such high homes of
Ireland's disinfection. and they hay.
ceen Erievously disappointed in this
war. which is being ragged for the
rights OF smaller nations and tho nrin-
ciple OF nationality.
Tho views OF John Redmond have a
very special interest Redmond has
been described as q plain, competent
business man OF Irish politics, who docs
his work with thoroughness and dis
patch. 1t Ia an apt description He
is not in the least Expansive" nor bos
he any trace of what has been called
the waste OF speech"-spcech OF which
the professional politician is so great
IA spendthrift Every word he ,tters
seems 10 come clear out, and with the
imprint 81 a mind kept under fine in
tellcctual discipline
iaiklng or the response of ireland
IN the nations hour of need. Redmond
was asked what feature in Ireland had
given him the most pleasure
III has been magnificent this ro
Spouse OF Ireland" he said There
are a quarter of a million Irishment
serving with the colors to-day This
includes contribution from the col
"nies and England. and from Ireland
herself.
One hundred and twenty ,houss,,
wen nave gone. II is the first time in
.iif'"iN that Ireland has come freely
!" SGtcor the empire in a mornen, of
tl%l In Ireland to-day the most out
nuins feature is that she considers
"eEs II free self-govcrniuu nation"
Us soSSeS'en 10 redmond that n
ne" era had dawned in ireland. and
'hai after the war the memory OF the
Whole nations satrihce wouid o,eu
the discordant' elements which hither'
had marred her fair name He heart,
lily assented.
IT Is my hope and belief" he nddod
that after the sacrifices which bavn
Deen made so readily and the blood
which Is being shed so freely on tho
neid OF honor. lrishmen OF all cre.ds
ana politics VIII unite and nut an end
70 the mad d!ssensions and Religions
'animosittes of former days.
controversial politics nre unbeo,d .,
In Ireland to-day. When we have 70
revert to the consideration OF national
problems. ! am convinced ". shall do
80 In practically new world whnrn
the hatreds of old world viii h.ya
disappeared almost completely.
Nothing In the whole history Of Erc
land Is more honorable than her ali
tude toward Belgium and what = .ir-
nlhcant contrast 81 is TO IN, a;ti,,,d.
or Germany and Rustria toward thar
small natonalitics - Serbia POLAND
Schleswrg, Alsacc and Lorraine he
lieve that the fate OF every small ma
ton is at stake in this war no, only
Belgium, but Holland Dcnm,rl nnd
all the Balkan States. We are wapinp
this war on behalf OF smaller nation,
alittes and against wanton German ar-
gression. This is one of tho chief
reasons why the irish nationaiis,s arc
SO enthusiastic in support OF the allies
cause"