1 45 Moyderwell, Tralee. 18th May 1916
URGENT. Dear Sir I have received the following recommendations from
Headquarters of the National Volunteers, with directions to have them
issued immediately to the various Registered Companies in the County: (1) MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL VOLUNTEERS. Some members of the National Volunteers have been put under
arrest by the Military within the past few days. Possibly under
the circumstances this was unavoidable and apparently some Military
Officers have failed to discriminate between what are termed Sinn
Finers and National Volunteers (under the leadership pf Mr John
Redmond M. P.).Representations on this important matter have been
made from this Office (Headquarters) to His Excellency the Lord
Lieutenant and these have been conveyed by His Excellency to the
Commander-in-Chief, Dublin, who has, through his Chief of Staff, expressed
a desire to facilitate certain Officers of the National Volunteers
nominated by Headquarters to verify otherwise the statements of
person sunder arrest who claim to have been members of the National
Volunteers and who have taken no part in the recent disturbances. If any such arrests have been made within your District
immediate steps similar to those taken in Dublin should be taken to
obtain their release. Officers verifying the statements of persons
under arrest who claim to be National Volunteers, should be cautioned
to exercise great care and to deal only with cases of bona fide
National Volunteers who have not been concerned in the recent disturb-
ances. They should not interfere in the case of any other person. (2) ARMS AND AMMUNITION. As the Proclamation requiring the surrender of Arms and
Ammunition refers only to members of the the Sinn Fein Irish Volunteers
and of the Citizen Army, it is not necessary for National Volunteers
to deliver up their arms, but they should notify the local police of any
arms and ammunition in their possession. Where the arms of the Company of the Battalion are kept at
Headqs., or such other place as ordered by the Company or Battalion
the arms and ammunition are to notify the local police whilst retaining
possession of the Arms and Ammunition. If, however, the military or police demand possession no
opposition should be offered but a receipt singed by an Officer or
Sergeant of Police for the Arms or Ammunition taken.' I hope, therefore, that you will act without delay on these
instructions and let me know what you ave done in the matter. I would also be obliged if you would let me have a general
report, for the information of Headquarters, a to the attitude of
the National Volunteers in your District during the recent lamentable
occurrences. Trusting you will NOT FAIL to send this information as
early as possible. Yours faithfully, Frank O'Donnell
Hon. Sec. Kerry Co. Board, Nat. Vol. To the Secretary, Each Registered Co. in Kerry.