Letter from E. F. Batty to the Under-Secretary for Ireland, 4 May 1916 Letters 1916-1923 E. F. Batty

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This letter was written by E. F. Batty to the under-secretary for Ireland. In this letter Batty writes concerning the provision of aeroplanes in areas of Ireland which contain enough troops to make it worthwhile. Batty thinks this would help to deter rebels.The letter is addressed to the under-secretary, which at this time is Sir Robert Chalmers (1858-1938). Chalmers was sent to Ireland as under-secretary, replacing Sir Matthew Nathan who had resigned along with Augustine Birrell, his chief secretary following the Easter Rising in 1916.

 National Archives of Ireland Chief Secretary's Office Registered Papers, CSO RP/1916/7425/1 https://letters1916.ie/item/246 English E. F. Batty 1916-05-04 The Under-Secretary Easter Rising Ireland 1916 Industry and Public Administration

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 May 4th 1916 2 Isabella Place Combe Down, Bath Private To the Under Secretary in Ireland Sir Pardon the suggestion that aeroplanes at every place in Ireland where there were enough troops to make it worth while would be a good thing — more than one where there were many troops If the telephone had been cut the want of an aeroplane if we had more would have beenmuch help — Probably the sight of them coming and going fromtrips would help to extend their influence — It would be also a little excitement of a harmless nature and and besides tending to deter rebels —might tend to restore the confidence of the loyal population They might have been asked for all I know —but they were not mentioned in the news papers —In locating rebels in large bodies in city or county they might be most useful —if there were further need it might have been during the outbreak Your obed servant E F Batty PS It would be undesirable to have them where they could be captured PPS If the first accounts had not been too tolerable I might have thought of this before in France to be of use. E. F. Batty Letter from E. F. Batty to the Under-Secretary for Ireland, 4 May 1916Letter from E. F. Batty to Robert Chalmers, 17 May 1916