The Irish standard., 1917-06-23
Vim. Redmond's
Farewell otc
to His Friends
Left In Care of His Solicitor In Ire
Iand-Beieved He Was Doing His
Best for Ireland's Welfare,

An impressive requiem for Major
Willie" Redmond, brother of the
Irish political leader, was sung Tues
day, June 12, in Westminster Cathe-
dral. Cardinal Bourne presided and
was assisted by two bishops and ca
thedral canons.
Major Redmond, who was killed in
action in Belgium, left the following
statement in the care of his solicitor
in Ireland, dated December, 1916:
'If die abroad l will give my wife
my last thought and love and ask her
to pray that we meet hereafter.
shall die true Irish Catholic, humbly
hoping for the mercy of God, through
the intercession of His blessed moth
er. whose help ! have ever invoked
all through life.
II should like all of my friends in
Ireland to know that in joining the
Irish Brigade and going to France |
sincerely believe, as all the Irish sol
'dlers DO, that l was doing my best
for the welfare of Ireland in every
way"
at the Cathedral the catafalque was
guarded by six Irish Guards, in which
regiment John Redmond's only son-in-
law is a captain. Detachments from
the London Irish Regiment, the Gren-
adler Guards, and from the Scots
Guards, also were present, as we'll as
representatives of the Royal Irish
Regiment, to which Major Redmond
had belonged. They came specially
from France to attend the ceremony.
The vast cathedral was full The
congregation was of the most repre-
sentative character, including Red
mond's colleagues in the Irish Party,
the Irish Chief Secretary, the Earl of
Derby, Earl of Coventry, Capt. Craig.
M. p, representing Ulster Orange
Party, and a host of other members
OF the House of Commons of all par
ties. The House of Lords all assem-
bled to honor the memory of one fifty
described by Lord Charles Beresford
as "a noble lrishman, brave soldier
and great gentleman
The Buglers Irish Guards played
"T'he Last Post" at the conclusion of
the service, followed by Let Erin Re-
member" on the great pipe organ.
Mr.. Lloyd George eulogized William
Redmond, whose death from wound,
received at the Front, was announced
Friday. He said that Mr.. Redmond
was above all Irish, and felt that the
war was 1reland's great opportunity
fNr win n 1ihnrfu fr,, Il NV ErI%
ing side by side with Great Britain
in the world struggle for freedom.
Mr.. Asquith associated himself with
the Premier's tribute, and Joseph Dev-
lin, Nationalist, thanked them for the
references they had made.
Sir Edward Carson, First Lord of
the Admiralty, in adding his tribute to
that of the Premier, said he had never
had a bitter word with Mr.. Redmond
in public or private.
He mentioned the fact that he had
just returned from the Ulster confer
ence and had strongly advised it's
members to enter the Irish conven-
tion. They could not disconnect in
their minds, he continued, the calling
OF the convention and some incidents
which had taken place, of which Mr.
Redmond's death was one.
The Premier had told, said Sir Ed
ward, how Mr.. Redmond had been
cared for and treated by Ulstermen
on the battle field.
IF in the trenches they could fight
side by side in the common cause of
liberty" added the speaker, certainly
so far as l am concerned l will do all
in my power to assist in some solution
of the Irish question which will meet
the ideals of liberty of all parties in
Ireland"
The Chicago German Club and the
members of their families are taking
an active interest in obtaining funds
and other aid for the American Red