I refrained from doing so from fear of doing mischief and from fear of doing harm.

To-day I am very glad that I so refrained, because in spite of these discouragements, in spite of this thwarting and embarrassing, and in spite of the utterly faulty and ridiculous system of recruiting that was set on foot, we have succeeded, and have raised in Ireland a body of men whose numbers Lord Kitchener, in his letter to the Irish conference, declared were magnificent." He quoted the Unionist _Birmingham Post_ for the saying that what had happened in Ireland was "a miracle." From the National Volunteers 27,054 men had joined the colours; from the Ulster Volunteers 27,412.

In both forces there must be many left who could not leave Ireland, yet might be utilized in Ireland.
"It may be remembered that the very day the war broke out I rose in my place in this House and offered the Volunteers to the Government for Home Defence.

I only spoke, of course, of the National Volunteers.

I was not entitled to speak for the Ulster Volunteers, but I suggested that they and we might work shoulder to shoulder.
From that day to this the War Office have persistently refused to have anything to say to these Volunteers.