Letter from Lord French to Sir John Maxwell, 29 April 1916 Letters 1916-1923 John Denton Pinkstone French

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Letter from Lord French, John Denton Pinkstone French, 1st Earl of Ypres (28 Sept. 1852-22 May 1925), commander of all British forces on home service, 1916-1918, to Sir John Maxwell (12 Jul. 1859-21 Feb. 1929), primarily responsible for government policy in the immediate aftermath of the Rising. The letter was written on the same day that the leaders of the Easter Rising surrendered in Dublin and contains references to the movement of troops between Northern Ireland and the South, searches for arms and the prospect of a German landing on the west coast.

 University College Dublin Archives De Valera papers, P150/512 https://letters1916.ie/item/5586 English John Denton Pinkstone French 1916-04-29 G.H.Q. Home Forces, Horse Guards, S.W., London. John Grenfell Maxwell Male 1925 Easter Rising Ireland 1916 Easter Rising Ireland 1916

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 G.H.Q. Home Forces, Horse Guards, S.W. April 29. 1916 My Dear Maxwell, Thank you for your letter which I have shown to the Prime Minister & am taking to the King. We are sending you The Cavalry from Aldershot & for Shillham the 'Hilton' from . I am glad to learn you have approved of whether steps which had been taken by Friend and Lowe before you arrived. You are in exciting and interesting surroundings. I have had long talks with Carson and Redmond. Carson tells us there are 50000 Ulster Volunteers (all around) now at their homes and ready to answer any call which 2 which may make upon him. Redmond (who Carson says is with Ireland) says his volunteers will also render help. Carson thinks the Troops you have drawn into Dublin from Belfast should be sent North again as soon as you can spare them from Dublin —You must of course use your own judgement as to this 128 but I only tell you what he says. Cor Cork has been upended this by both Carson & Lord Middleton as a dangerous point - they have sent you over there (to Lansdowne) an infantry of this GOD in from Salisbury. A show of force will do good in the South. Let me know your wants and 3 they shall receive prompt attention. I don't think there is much chance (now) of a German landing on the West Coast of Ireland but that is what we must be prepared for. Yours sincerely French P.S. The King went over to London last night to report as to Ireland.— His Majesty asked me to tell you (1) that in his view it was absolutely necessary to institute a search of all houses for Arms assome as this is possible — (ii) The King is very anxious that Civilians, and those not engaged in rebillion should be cleared away & protected to this at least. I told His Majesty that I would give you this message but assured him that you were fully alive to the importance of these points and would give them all the attention you could — G.H.Q. Home Forces, Horse Guards, S.W., London. Letter from Lord French to Sir John Maxwell, 29 April 1916 John Grenfell Maxwell Letter from General John Grenfell Maxwell to Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer, 6 May 1916Letter from James O'Shea to John Grenfell Maxwell, 9 May 1916Letter from General Sir John Grenfell Maxwell to Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer, 12 May 1916Letter from Lord French to Sir John Maxwell, 3 May 1916Letter from Lord Wimborne to Sir John Maxwell, 1 May 1916.Letter from Lord Wimborne to Sir John Maxwell, 1 May 1916Letter from Robert John Lynn to Sir John Maxwell, 2 May 1916Letter from Lord Wimborne to Sir John Maxwell, 3 May 1916Letter from Sir John Maxwell to Lord French, 4 May, 1916Letter from John Dillon to Sir John Maxwell, 8 May 1916.Letter from Sir John Maxwell to Herbert Henry Asquith, 12 May 1916.Letter from Lord French to Sir John Maxwell, 19 May 1916Letter from Sir John Maxwell to Lord French, 16 May 1916Letter from Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer to General John Grenfell Maxwell, 17 May 1916Letter from Lord French to Sir John Maxwell, 29 April 1916Letter from Lord French to Sir John Maxwell, 1 May 1916Letter from Lord Wimborne to Sir John Maxwell, 29 April 1916 John Denton Pinkstone French Letter from Lord French to Sir John Maxwell, 3 May 1916Letter from Sir John Maxwell to Lord French, 4 May, 1916Letter from Lord French to Sir John Maxwell, 19 May 1916Letter from Sir John Maxwell to Lord French, 16 May 1916Letter from Lord French to Sir John Maxwell, 29 April 1916Letter from Lord French to Sir John Maxwell, 1 May 1916