O'NEILL

Although large numbers of Irishmen had willingly signed up to fight for the British cause in the First World War, by April 1918 a shortage of troops moved the British government to propose conscription in Ireland. This was violently opposed by republicans, and O’Neill convened an Irish Anti-Conscription Committee which met at the Mansion House in Dublin. Strikes and protests followed, and although a law was passed, conscription was never implemented in Ireland. These two items are now extremely scarce.

88pp., 2pp. Publisher's Catalogue. Scarce: No copy on AddAll, and COPAC lists copies only at BL, Oxford, NLS. Original paper boards bound into modern green paper wraps with title label on front, restoring a copy with contents in good condition, but fragile, stained and damaged covers. Ownership inscription (signature only)  of Robert Lynd in Irish 

On piece of paper roughly one and a half inches by three wide. Small tear in top left-hand corner not affecting signature. Reads 'Your Obed Hue Servt | [signature] O'Neill | Lieut General'. On reverse '<...> he had his discharge to <...> | <...> allowed something he had <...>'.