Letter from M. Figgis and Maude Gonne MacBride to Joseph Cyrillus Walsh, 24 March 1922 Letters 1916-1923 M. Figgis

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In this letter, M. Figgis and Maude Gonne MacBride tell Joseph Cyrillus Walsh about their concerns about former prisoners, who have suffered from immense hunger within British jails. They ask Walsh to do something for these people, the most pressing issues are, according to the two authors, to care for the wounded and disabled and to provide financial help.

 New York Public Library Manuscripts and Archives Division Joseph C. Walsh Papers. Letters Earls - Foy https://letters1916.ie/item/6668 English M. Figgis 1922-03-24 24 Kildare Street, Dublin, Ireland Joseph Cyrillus Walsh Male Civil War (1922-1923) Politics

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 24 Kildare st. Dublin March 24th. 1922. Dear Mr Walsh, Enclosed you will find two newspaper cuttings of yesterday's datewhich will give you the position of the men in whom you were interested.We have, unfortunately, not been able to do very much, because the amountwe receive only just covers the cases we have on our books, and many ofthe men sent on from the prisoners association are in desperate straits.Many of them, as you will see from the cuttings, are there men who foughtthrough the war, others are ex-prisoners who have endured torture andhardships in prison. Your remark that 'quite a lot of food can bemissed in twenty- four hours' remains and as the days go by the 'missing'mounts up, as we know from those we come in contact with. It isunnecessary for them to tell us that they are starving. Their appear==ance is enough. When the British government had these men in their jails, theyacted on the assumption that there was nothing like starvation to breakthe morale of these men. They were unsuccessful because somethingentered, which had not been taken into their reckoning and that was aspiritual quality that upheld them. That was one thing. It isquite another fort those men to return home and to find that the peoplefor whom so much had been endured, neglect them and leave them and theirdependants to starve. The Irish people are under the impression thatexisting organisations are caring for these men, but it is stated thatno funds are available to deal with their cases. The Lord Mayor of Dublin is Cahirman of This Prisoners Associationans is also trustee of The White Cross Funds and we are sure that ifanyone could get anything, he would, but as you will see so far, nothinghas been forthcoming. Our committee ceases at the end of this month: after which even thelittle we have been able to do hitherto, will also cease. Could you do anthing for them? Either through the Prisoners Associa==ation or through Madame McBride and myself. As we told you when youwere here, we would prefer that you should deal direct either with TheLord Mayor or The men's own organisation. We are pressing for the propercare of the wounded and disabled, which will take up a good deal of ourtime. The important thing is to give financial help as soon aspossible, or it will be a case of what is denied for food. will have to bepaid out for funeral expenses for a good many of these men.Personally I strenuously object to funeral expenses except in cases whereevery precaution has been taken against its necessity. 2. The work we have been engaged in for the past eleven months cures oneof extravagant sentiment: one gets doen to what is described in yourcountry as the 'brass tacks', and we can assure you that in the case ofthese men that stage has been reached . With all good wishes M FiggisHon. Secy. Maude Gonne MacBrideHon. Treasurer.Dublin Relief Committee M. Figgis Letter from M. Figgis and Maude Gonne MacBride to Joseph Cyrillus Walsh, 24 March 1922 Joseph Cyrillus Walsh Letter from Arthur Griffith to Joseph Cyrillus Walsh, 24 May 1919Letter from George Gavin Duffy to Joseph Cyrillus Walsh, 6 July 1920 Letter from Joseph Cyrillus Walsh to John N. Milholland, 13 June 1921Letter from Richard Hazleton to Joseph Cyrillus Walsh, 14 March 1918Letter from George Gavan Duffy to Joseph Cyrillus Walsh, 6 July 1920Letter from H. J. Kavanagh to Joseph Cyrillus Walsh, 23 February 1920Letter from Francis Fletcher-Vane to Joseph Cyrillus Walsh, 23 June 1917Letter from Michael Harkin to Joseph Cyrillus Walsh, 5 February 1920Letter from Michael Harkin to Joseph Cyrillus Walsh, 3 February 1921Letter from M. Figgis and Maude Gonne MacBride to Joseph Cyrillus Walsh, 24 March 1922Letter from Charles J. Foy to Joseph Cyrillus Walsh, 16 February 1917Letter from J. B. Fitzpatrick to Joseph Cyrillus Walsh, 7 March 1917 24 Kildare Street, Dublin, Ireland Letter from M. Figgis and Maude Gonne MacBride to Joseph Cyrillus Walsh, 24 March 1922