Of the danger Redmond was fully aware.  “I understand your position to be,” Mr. T.P.  O’Connor wrote to him in January 1915, “that unless your plan as to the Irish Volunteers is adopted we are face to face with a most critical and dangerous situation in Ireland.”  Just as fully was he convinced of the way to meet it.  In February, replying indignantly to Sir Reginald Brade, who had complained that Irish recruiting was “distinctly languid,” he enumerated the points at which the War Office had failed to act on his own advice, and urged once more, in the first instance, his original policy of employing both Ulster and Nationalist Volunteers for Home Defence.  “If the two bodies of volunteers were trusted with the defence of the country under proper military drill and discipline, the result would unquestionably be that a large number of them would volunteer for the front.  Recruiting can best be promoted by creating an atmosphere in which the patriotism of the younger men of the country can be evoked, and we have done a good deal already in this direction.”

On April 4th a display was made of the force available.  A review was held in the Phoenix Park of 25,000 men—­splendid material, but half of them with neither arms nor uniform.  The Unionist Press was friendly in its comments upon the statement which Redmond supplied after the parade, claiming that these men should be utilized for Home Defence.  That day was Easter Sunday of 1915.  No one guessed then what the next Easter was going to bring about.

On April 19th I find him writing officially to Mr. Birrell, seeking the Chief Secretary’s influence with the War Office, and claiming, what was the truth, that the Irish Command shared his view.  But at the moment recruiting was increasing weekly and the War Office were in no mood to make further concessions than those by which the improvement had been brought about.  Then came the Coalition, and the consequent reduction of recruiting from close on 7,000 to 3,000 a month; and in July the Adjutant-General, Sir Henry Sclater, of his own motion approached Redmond.  He suggested a meeting between Redmond and the War Office, with Sir Matthew Nathan and General Parsons in attendance.  Redmond agreed to the proposal, but formulated his views in a lengthy memorandum.  The first three points dealt with matters directly concerning the Sixteenth Division, but in the fourth, weighty emphasis was laid on the suggestion of recruiting Volunteers for Home Defence.  Sir Henry Sclater’s reply omitted completely all reference to this last—­an omission on which Redmond commented sharply.  He elicited the official answer that by urging men to join on a special enlistment for home service the numbers who would join for general service would be reduced.  This was diametrically opposite to Redmond’s view, and he said so, and urged again that the Irish Command was of his opinion.