Berlin. Political Division of the General Staff
Nr. Pol. 6431.
(SECRET)
8, Moltkestrasse,
Berlin, NW, 40.
March 20, 1916.
"FEREZ BEY, N. Y.
"Referring to your correspondence and conversations with Colonel
Skeel, I most urgently request that the necessary funds be raised
through the New York banker, Adolf Gerhardt; also that Bernstorff
be immediately informed through Boy-Ed, so that plans of Head
General Staff of Army on campaign may not be delayed.
"Begin instantly enlist and train men, secure and arm power-boat
assemble equipment and explosives, Welland Canal Exp'd'n. War
Office No. 159-16, Secret U. K.:--T, 3, P."
* * * * *
"Foreign Office, Berlin,
"Dec. 28, 1914.
"DEAR SIR ROGER:--I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your
letter of the 23d inst., in which you submitted to his Imperial
Majesty's Government a proposal for the formation of an Irish
brigade which would be pledged to fight only for the cause of
Irish nationalism, and which is to be composed of any Irish
prisoners of war willing to join such a regiment.
"In reply I have the honour to inform you that his Imperial
Majesty's Government agrees to your proposal and also to the
conditions under which it might be possible to train an Irish
brigade. These conditions are set out in the declaration enclosed
in your letter of the 13th inst., and are given at foot. I have
the honour to be, dear Roger, your obedient servant,
"(Signed) ZIMMERMAN,
"Under Secretary of State for the Foreign Office.
* * * * *
"TO HIS HONOUR, SIR ROGER CASEMENT,
"Eden Hotel, Kurfuerstendamm, Berlin."
"(SECRET)
"COLONEL MURTAGH SKEEL,
"Flying Division, Irish Expeditionary Corps,
"New York.
"For your information I enclose Zimmerman's letter to Sir Roger,
and also the text of Articles 6 and 7, being part of our first
agreement with Sir Roger Casement.
"You will note particularly the Article numbered 7.
"This paragraph, unfortunately, still postpones your suggested
attempt to seize on the high seas a British or neutral steamer
loaded with arms and munitions, and make a landing from her on the
Irish Coast.
"But, in the meantime, is it not possible for you to seize one of
the large ore steamers on the Great Lakes, transfer to her
sufficient explosives, take her into the Welland Canal and blow up
the locks?
"No more valuable service could be performed by Irishmen; no
deadlier blow delivered at England.
"I am, my dear Skeel, your sincere friend and comrade,
"(Signed) VON PAPEN.
"P. S.--Herewith appended are Articles 6 and 7 included in the
Casement convention:
"(SECRET)
"Text of Articles 6 and 7 of the convention concluded between Sir
Roger Casement and the German Government:
"6. The German Imperial Government undertakes 'under certain
circumstances' to lend the Irish Brigade adequate military
support, and to send it to Ireland abundantly supplied with arms
and ammunition, in order that once there it may equip any Irish
who would like to join it in making an attempt to re-establish
Ireland's national liberty by force of arms.
"The 'special circumstances' stipulated above are as follows:
"In case of a German naval victory which would make it possible to
reach the Irish coast, the German Imperial Government pledges
itself to despatch the Irish Brigade and a German expeditionary
corps commanded by German officers, in German troopships, to
attempt a landing on the Irish coast.
"7. It will be impossible to contemplate a landing in Ireland
unless the German Navy can gain such a victory as to make it
really likely that an attempt to reach Ireland by sea would
succeed. Should the German Navy not win such a victory, then a use
will be found for the Irish Brigade in Germany or elsewhere. But
in no case will it be used except in such ways as Sir Roger
Casement shall approve, as being completely in accordance with
Article 2.
"In this case the Irish Brigade might be sent to Egypt to lend
assistance in expelling the English and re-establishing Egyptian
independence.
"Even if the Irish Brigade should not succeed in fighting for the
liberation of Ireland from the English yoke, nevertheless a blow
dealt at the British intruders in Egypt and intended to help the
Egyptians to recover their freedom would be a blow struck for a
cause closely related to that of Ireland."
Another paper read as follows:
"Halbmondlager,
"Aug. 20th, 1915.
"(SECRET)"
"To MURTAGH SKEEL, COLONEL,
"Irish Exp. Force,
"N. Y.
"REPORT
"On June 7, fifty Irishmen, with one German subaltern, were handed
over to this camp, to be temporarily accommodated here. On June 16
five more Irishmen arrived, one of whom, having a broken leg, was
sent to the camp hospital. There are, therefore, fifty-four
Irishmen now here, one Sergeant Major, one Deputy Sergeant Major,
three Sergeants, three Corporals, three Lance Corporals, and
forty-three privates.
"They were accommodated as well as could be among the Indian
battalion, an arrangement which gives rise to much trouble, which
is inevitable, considering the tasks imposed upon Half Moon Camp.
"The Irish form an Irish brigade, which was constituted after
negotiations between the Foreign Office and Sir Roger Casement,
the champion of Irish independence.
"Enclosed is the Foreign Office communication of Dec. 28, 1914,
confirming the conditions on which the Irish brigade was to be
formed.
"The members of the Irish brigade are no longer German prisoners
of war, but receive an Irish uniform; and, according to orders,
instructions are to be issued to treat the Irish as comrades in
arms.
"The Irish are under the command of a German officer, First Lieut.
Boehm, the representative of the Grand General Staff (Political
Division) which is in direct communication with the subaltern in
charge of the Irish. This subaltern has been receiving money
direct, which he expends in the interests of the Irish; 250 marks
were given him through the Commandant's office, Zossen, and 250
marks by First Lieut. Boehm.
"Promotions, also, are made known by being directly communicated
to the subaltern in question. As will appear from the enclosed
copy, dated July 20, these promotions were as follows: (1)
Sergeant Major, (2) Deputy Sergeant Major, and (3) Sergeants.
"The uniforms arrived between the end of July and the beginning of
August. Their coming was announced in a letter dated July 20 (copy
enclosed), and their distribution was ordered. The box of uniforms
was addressed to Zossen, whence it was brought here. The uniforms
consist of a jacket, trousers, and cap in Irish style, and are of
huntsman's green cloth. Altogether, uniforms arrived for fifty
men, and they have since been given out. Three non-commissioned
officers brought their uniforms with them from Limburg on July 16.
Two photographs of the Irish are annexed.
"A few Irish are in correspondence with Sir Roger Casement, who,
in a letter from Munich, dated Aug. 16, says that he hears that
the Irish are shortly to be transferred from here to another
place. In a letter dated July 17 he complains of his want of
success, only fifty men having sent in their names as wishing to
join the brigade.
"Six weeks ago Sir Roger Casement was here with First Lieutenant
Boehm. Since then, however, neither of these gentlemen has
personally visited the Irish.
"Since the 18th of June the commandant's office has allowed every
penniless Irishman two marks a week--a sum which is now being paid
out to fifty-three men.
"On Aug. 6 the subaltern in charge of the Irish brigade was given
a German soldier to help him.
"In this camp every possible endeavour is made to help to attain
the important objects in view, but owing to the Irish being
accommodated with coloured races within the precincts of a closed
camp, it is inevitable that serious dissensions and acts of
violence should take place. Moreover, a German subaltern is not
suited for dealing independently with Irishmen.
"(Sgd.) HAUPTMANN, d. R. a. D.,
"(Retired Captain on the Reserve List)."
The last paper read as follows:
"(COPY)
"(Wireless via Mexico)
"Berlin (no date).
"FEREZ,
"N. Y.
"Necessary close Nihla Quellen case immediately. Evidently useless
expect her take service with us. Hold you responsible. Advise you
take secret measures to end menace to our interests in Paris.
D'Eblis urges instant action. Bolo under suspicion. Ex-minister
also suspected. Only drastic and final action on your part can end
danger. You know what to do. Do it."
The telegram was signed with a string of letters and numerals.
Renoux glanced curiously at Barres, who had turned very red and was
beginning to re-read the wireless.
When he finished, Renoux folded all the documents and placed them in
the breast pocket of his coat.
"Mon ami, Barres," he said pleasantly, "you and I have much yet to say
to each other."
"In the meanwhile, let us wash the stains of combat from our persons.
What is the number of your collar?"
"Fifteen and a half."
"I can fit you out. The bathroom is this way, old top!"