1 D1507/A/16/12 Dr Croziers memo
sent to Sir Edward May 7th 1916
& forwarded to Mr Asquith P.M. Page 1 of 2 Original letters & mem
with
1934 Nothing but the keenest sense of duty would induce me to write
to you on this matter, and the fear that men who do not know the
North of Ireland may make a terrible blunder at this serious
crisis in our National life. (1) There is more than a rumour that a proposal will be made
to disarm the Ulster Volunteers. (2) As one who knows Ireland thoroughlyI would say that
when the Rebellion broke out in Dublin, Meath, Wexford, Galway and
elsewhere; the Loyalists of Ireland knew that if it succeeded, it
would be a Revolution — and in the lonely Northern outposts — in
Cavan, Tywne Tyrone Monaghan and elsewhere the fears of the Loyalists were
allayed by the knowledge that their fellow Loyalists in Belfast St
were armed and would come to their aid. (3) And an attempted disarmament now would spread terror
amongst these scattered Loyal folk — whose only fault is their
loyalty! (4) Large numbers of these people have nobly given their sons
and brothers to the service of the King — and this in spite of the
knowledge that others all around them equally fit for service had
no intention of offering themselves. (5) Again everyone who is in touch with Irish life knows
that before very long the extreme section of the Nationalist party
will be fully armed again and it is not, I suppose, intended that
(as in the case of a previous Rebellion in Ireland) the Loyalists
should be left unarmed To the vengeance of others. (6) The Ulster men have covered themselves with glory by
their calmness and readiness to help the Government in this crisis, 2 D1507/A/16/12 Page 2 of 2
2
crisis, and this calmness is chiefly due to the fact that they trust
their leaders and are under splendid control. (7) To attempt to disarm them now would be so flagrantly
unjust that I think no power in earth could prevent a rising and
a general strike in Belfast — an awful alternative for every reason;
and a red ruin to the Muniment works and shipping industry. (8) Lastly, though I could say much more, it would be looked
upon by our great Ulster Division serving in France as a hideous
travesty of Justice. They have left their wives and children
trusting to the faith of their comrades who stay behind to look after
and protect them; they never relied in help or kindness or protection
from Mr. Birrell and those with him — they relied on the fact that
they left behind them men who would sacrifice their lives in their
defence. This war in Ireland has stirred these men to the depth of their
hearts. They have seen now, what they knew long ago, the imminent
danger Ireland was in because of England's extremity. To disturb
now the only confidence of these men at the front, would be to run a
risk no sane man ought to dare to face. 3 [This and the next page are copies of the 2 previous pages.] 4 [This and the previous page are copies of the first 2 pages.]