Typed Letter Signed "Wimborne" to Sir Stanley Harrington, a Cork bigwig, discussing the recruiting of Irish soldiers to fight for Britain in the First World War.

Two pages, cr. 8vo, bifolium, punch-holes in white space, good condition. "The efforts which you have made in the furtherance of recruiting in this country have been brought to my notice and I desire at this stage of the campaign to place on record my appreciation ... duty of the first importance at this crisis of the country's fortunes. |The recent exclusion of Ireland from the scope of the Military Service Bill has placed upon the eligible men of Ireland, alone among the European nations ... the great responsibility of freely and willingly rallying to the Colours to support their fellow countrymen fighting for their homes and for the safety of those who remain behind. | The responsibility is also cast on us, and on the | country as a whole, to spare no effort in bringing that sense of duty home to the young unmarried Irishmen, and so to prevent the ranks of the Irish Regiments from being filled by other than Irish soldiers. | The activities initiated with this end in view by the Department of Recruiting comprise public meetings, military displays and appeals in the Press and through the post, destined ultimately to lead to a personal canvass, without which our other efforts. can only achieve inconclusive and imperfect results; and they are now being vigorously pressed forward." Note: As is evident, Wimborne was addressing this important issue only a month before the Easter Rising. Wimborne's activity in the matter included urging the arrest of rebel leaders before the event and later declaring martial law. With: TNS, printed heading "Viceregal Lodge, Dublin", one page, cr. 8vo, 7 Sept. 1918 from Edward Saunders, Private Secretary to the Viceroy of Ireland, Viscount French (former General), to Sir Stanley Harrington, Cork J.P., passing on French's invitation to attend the "Viceroy's Consultative Committee" (heading of letter), and telling his that His Excellency is trying to arrange for him to be "gazetted a member of the Privy Council in Ireland". Also with a photograph cut out of a newspaper (the Cork Examiner), 25 x 20cm. some damage , with small loss, with manuscript additions which explain that the picture of a "Recruiting Campaign in Cork" (crowd scene) was for the Irish Guards and identifying four women in the crowd.