The Moonlit Way Part 60

"In reply I have the honour to inform you that his Imperial Majesty's Government agrees to your proposal and also to the conditions under which it might be possible to train an Irish brigade. These conditions are set out in the declaration enclosed in your letter of the 13th inst., and are given at foot. I have the honour to be, dear Roger, your obedient servant,

"(Signed) ZIMMERMAN,

"Under Secretary of State for the Foreign Office.

"TO HIS HONOUR, SIR ROGER CAs.e.m.e.nT, "Eden Hotel, Kurfurstendamm, Berlin."

"(SECRET)

"COLONEL MURTAGH SKEEL, "Flying Division, Irish Expeditionary Corps, "New York.

"For your information I enclose Zimmerman's letter to Sir Roger, and also the text of Articles 6 and 7, being part of our first agreement with Sir Roger Cas.e.m.e.nt.

"You will note particularly the Article numbered 7.

"This paragraph, unfortunately, still postpones your suggested attempt to seize on the high seas a British or neutral steamer loaded with arms and munitions, and make a landing from her on the Irish Coast.

"But, in the meantime, is it not possible for you to seize one of the large ore steamers on the Great Lakes, transfer to her sufficient explosives, take her into the Welland Ca.n.a.l and blow up the locks?

"No more valuable service could be performed by Irishmen; no deadlier blow delivered at England.

"I am, my dear Skeel, your sincere friend and comrade,

"(Signed) VON PAPEN.

"P. S.--Herewith appended are Articles 6 and 7 included in the Cas.e.m.e.nt convention:

"(SECRET)

"Text of Articles 6 and 7 of the convention concluded between Sir Roger Cas.e.m.e.nt and the German Government:

"6. The German Imperial Government undertakes 'under certain circ.u.mstances' to lend the Irish Brigade adequate military support, and to send it to Ireland abundantly supplied with arms and ammunition, in order that once there it may equip any Irish who would like to join it in making an attempt to re-establish Ireland's national liberty by force of arms.

"The 'special circ.u.mstances' stipulated above are as follows:

"In case of a German naval victory which would make it possible to reach the Irish coast, the German Imperial Government pledges itself to despatch the Irish Brigade and a German expeditionary corps commanded by German officers, in German troops.h.i.+ps, to attempt a landing on the Irish coast.

"7. It will be impossible to contemplate a landing in Ireland unless the German Navy can gain such a victory as to make it really likely that an attempt to reach Ireland by sea would succeed. Should the German Navy not win such a victory, then a use will be found for the Irish Brigade in Germany or elsewhere. But in no case will it be used except in such ways as Sir Roger Cas.e.m.e.nt shall approve, as being completely in accordance with Article 2.

"In this case the Irish Brigade might be sent to Egypt to lend a.s.sistance in expelling the English and re-establis.h.i.+ng Egyptian independence.

"Even if the Irish Brigade should not succeed in fighting for the liberation of Ireland from the English yoke, nevertheless a blow dealt at the British intruders in Egypt and intended to help the Egyptians to recover their freedom would be a blow struck for a cause closely related to that of Ireland."

Another paper read as follows:

"Halbmondlager, "Aug. 20th, 1915.

"(SECRET)"

"To MURTAGH SKEEL, COLONEL, "Irish Exp. Force, "N. Y.

"REPORT

"On June 7, fifty Irishmen, with one German subaltern, were handed over to this camp, to be temporarily accommodated here. On June 16 five more Irishmen arrived, one of whom, having a broken leg, was sent to the camp hospital. There are, therefore, fifty-four Irishmen now here, one Sergeant Major, one Deputy Sergeant Major, three Sergeants, three Corporals, three Lance Corporals, and forty-three privates.

"They were accommodated as well as could be among the Indian battalion, an arrangement which gives rise to much trouble, which is inevitable, considering the tasks imposed upon Half Moon Camp.

"The Irish form an Irish brigade, which was const.i.tuted after negotiations between the Foreign Office and Sir Roger Cas.e.m.e.nt, the champion of Irish independence.

"Enclosed is the Foreign Office communication of Dec. 28, 1914, confirming the conditions on which the Irish brigade was to be formed.

"The members of the Irish brigade are no longer German prisoners of war, but receive an Irish uniform; and, according to orders, instructions are to be issued to treat the Irish as comrades in arms.

"The Irish are under the command of a German officer, First Lieut.

Boehm, the representative of the Grand General Staff (Political Division) which is in direct communication with the subaltern in charge of the Irish. This subaltern has been receiving money direct, which he expends in the interests of the Irish; 250 marks were given him through the Commandant's office, Zossen, and 250 marks by First Lieut. Boehm.

"Promotions, also, are made known by being directly communicated to the subaltern in question. As will appear from the enclosed copy, dated July 20, these promotions were as follows: (1) Sergeant Major, (2) Deputy Sergeant Major, and (3) Sergeants.

"The uniforms arrived between the end of July and the beginning of August. Their coming was announced in a letter dated July 20 (copy enclosed), and their distribution was ordered. The box of uniforms was addressed to Zossen, whence it was brought here. The uniforms consist of a jacket, trousers, and cap in Irish style, and are of huntsman's green cloth. Altogether, uniforms arrived for fifty men, and they have since been given out. Three non-commissioned officers brought their uniforms with them from Limburg on July 16.

Two photographs of the Irish are annexed.

"A few Irish are in correspondence with Sir Roger Cas.e.m.e.nt, who, in a letter from Munich, dated Aug. 16, says that he hears that the Irish are shortly to be transferred from here to another place. In a letter dated July 17 he complains of his want of success, only fifty men having sent in their names as wis.h.i.+ng to join the brigade.

"Six weeks ago Sir Roger Cas.e.m.e.nt was here with First Lieutenant Boehm. Since then, however, neither of these gentlemen has personally visited the Irish.

"Since the 18th of June the commandant's office has allowed every penniless Irishman two marks a week--a sum which is now being paid out to fifty-three men.

"On Aug. 6 the subaltern in charge of the Irish brigade was given a German soldier to help him.

"In this camp every possible endeavour is made to help to attain the important objects in view, but owing to the Irish being accommodated with coloured races within the precincts of a closed camp, it is inevitable that serious dissensions and acts of violence should take place. Moreover, a German subaltern is not suited for dealing independently with Irishmen.

"(Sgd.) HAUPTMANN, d. R. a. D.,

"(Retired Captain on the Reserve List)."

The last paper read as follows:

"(COPY)

"(Wireless via Mexico)

"Berlin (no date).

"FEREZ, "N. Y.

"Necessary close Nihla Quellen case immediately. Evidently useless expect her take service with us. Hold you responsible. Advise you take secret measures to end menace to our interests in Paris.

D'Eblis urges instant action. Bolo under suspicion. Ex-minister also suspected. Only drastic and final action on your part can end danger. You know what to do. Do it."