Letter from Bishop E. Mulhern to Hagan

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View/Open: HAG1-1921-121.pdf (49.MB) Bookview

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DigitalGeorgetown

Pontifical Irish College

Contributor

Mulhern, Edward

Hagan, John, 1873-1930

Description

Holograph letter from Bishop E. Mulhern, Ardmaine, Newry (County Down), to Hagan, having returned after a long time away, and much 'excitement'. In thanks for communications; replying that he has a dislike towards performances involving a 'non expedit'. Stating satisfaction with Hagan's previous letter which caused many to say it was the first one that was not pessimistic. Then discussing the prevalent feeling that peace is not far- all those highly placed, excepting (Lloyd) George and some others, are anxious for a settlement and no effort will be spared – 'I carried the peace vote [in] its final stage'. (Cryptic) remark emphasising a letter that was read without remark [by the government], according to the Independent. On his return to the hotel he could give the officials [good] news so that one left for London. Mulhern was to convey that should DeV[alera] refused to see Griffith etcetera in prison, they would be released to meet him – the result was predictable. The premier plays to a difficult gallery; he accepted terms deemed to be insufficient by DeV[alera] and even declared so by [S...]. The latter does what he can in the matter, ac- ting on behalf of the 'Defensor Fidei' who is 'most anxious in the matter' – the 'allocutio' had been outlined by himself, refusing to blame anyone. 'Of course all is confusion now as one might expect in such circumstances; but let us pray that the end is near'. Then commenting on a shooting and reprisal killing yesterday; commenting on the second victim who was 'one of your best young men'. Adding he will get O'Gorman 'into the heat of things. He can go nowhere now to escape from the turn!'