Letter from Fr. Thomas (James) Crotty to Sir Roger Casement, 30 November 1915 Letters 1916-1923 Fr. Thomas (James) Crotty

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The letter is from the Dominican priest Fr. Thomas Crotty (d. 1930, born James but took the name Thomas after he joined the order) to Sir Roger Casement (1864-1916). The letter was written during Casement's eighteen month stay in Germany, where he was attempting to gain German support for an Irish rebellion against British rule. The letter refers to Casement's attempts to create an Irish Brigade of Irish-born British army soldiers who were then held as prisoners of war in German camps. It was the camp at Linberg, in the Lahn valley, that was designated for the project. Fr. Crotty was one of the priests who administered to the men in the camp at Limberg. The project was, however, largely unsuccessful and only fifty-six men signed up. The letter refers to mainly to a meeting with a cardinal in Munich and also requests that Casement enquire about a letter that Crotty had sent seeking permission to visit all the camps with Irish prisoners in them but which had not been replied to. He also refers to some of Casement's published writing on Irish history and proposes a meeting with Casment before Christmas. Casement was later arrested in County Kerry having returned to Ireland in a submarine to try and prevent the Easter Rising from taking place as he felt German support was insufficient. He was hanged in London in August 1916.

 National Library of Ireland Roger Casement Papers, Collection List No A15; Ms. 13,085 /20 https://letters1916.ie/item/5499 English Fr. Thomas (James) Crotty 1915-11-30 Limberg, Lahn, Germany Sir Roger Casement Male 1930 Politics Politics World War I (1914-1918)

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 MissionshausLimburg a/ Lahn 30. Nov. 1915 Dear Sir Roger I beg to thank you for thescraps from Journals, and also forP. Ford's Book. All very interesting, andfor me sad reading. You will be glad to hear that myjourney to Munich and stay of8 days there were very satisfactory.The Cardinal Nuntius hopes to dosomething for me and my flock. Hequite understands matters, and isof my opinion regarding the changingof the men to the various camps. Hesees no reason, considering my mission,why I should not be allowed to visitthe camps where Irishmen are. I laidbefore him a full account of my years work. I am having my statementin writing copied and hope to have acopy sent in to the Auswaertiges Amt.The Cardinal asked me if I had madeapplication to the Ministry of War forpermission to visit the camps, or if I hadsuggested the advisability of havingall the Irishmen brought into onecamp so that my ministry shouldbe thereby very much lighter thanit is. I told him I had written toa gentleman in the AuswaertigesAmt. and told him my grievances,and asked him to obtain thispermission for me. I was assured bothby Count von Wedel and Mr. Meyerthat they would help me in everything.It was therefore to them I applied,but for some reason, no answer is forth—coming. A copy of my letter is I believe by this time in the Vatican, and I havereason to believe that it shall bea testimony to the truth of affairsas they are, and not as they are repre—sented to be by the Press reports thatreach Rome. I shall say no more of my interviewwith his Eminence. Probably you shallget a look at my report when it reachesBerlin. Could it be possible that Mr. Meyer isfrom home? or has my letter been lost.In it I repeated my request for theleave to visit the camps just as theEnglish Protestant Mr. Williams has.I also reminded him that I am tosettle my accounts for expenses ofthe past five months, for it is now thatlength of time since I had any fundsgiven me. If you should meet either Mr. Meyeror the Count von Wedel, I would ask you as a favour to let them know what I writeto you, or at least of as much of it as you deemnecessary. The weather is very cold here, and weare having much snow and frost. I hopemyself and the boys escape anybad colds during this inclement season.I heard during my stay in Bavaria, of themany interesting articles that appearedfrom your pen in the Press there. It is wellto have people know the history of Ireland.In Bavaria Irish History is always interestingas the people of that Nation, owe theirChristianity to the labours of an IrishMissionary, whose name is honouredand revered there - Kilian - the MartyrSaint. Is there any chance of meeting you beforeXmas? In any event may the Great Feastbring us joy and happiness and peace. Yours v. sincerely J.T. Crotty O.P. Limberg, Lahn, Germany Letter from Fr. Thomas (James) Crotty to Sir Roger Casement, 6 November 1915Letter from Fr. Thomas (James) Crotty to Sir Roger Casement, 16 November 1915Letter from Fr. Thomas (James) Crotty to Sir Roger Casement, 30 November 1915Letter from Fr. Thomas (James) Crotty to Sir Roger Casement, 8 December 1915 Fr. Thomas (James) Crotty Letter from Fr. Thomas (James) Crotty to Sir Roger Casement, 6 November 1915Letter from Fr. Thomas (James) Crotty to Sir Roger Casement, 16 November 1915Letter from Fr. Thomas (James) Crotty to Sir Roger Casement, 30 November 1915Letter from Fr. Thomas (James) Crotty to Sir Roger Casement, 8 December 1915