ad
General Staff of Army on campaign may not be delayed.

"Begin instantly enlist and train men, secure and arm power-boat
assemble equipment and explosives, Welland Canal Exp'd'n. War
Office No. 159-16, Secret U. K.:--T, 3, P."

* * * * *

"Foreign Office, Berlin,

"Dec. 28, 1914.

"DEAR SIR ROGER:--I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your
letter of the 23d inst., in which you submitted to his Imperial
Majesty's Government a proposal for the formation of an Irish
brigade which would be pledged to fight only for the cause of
Irish nationalism, and which is to be composed of any Irish
prisoners of war willing to join such a regiment.

"In reply I have the honour to inform you that his Imperial
Majesty's Government agrees to your proposal and also to the
conditions under which it might be possible to train an Irish
brigade. These conditions are set out in the declaration enclosed
in your letter of the 13th inst., and are given at foot. I have
the honour to be, dear Roger, your obedient servant,

"(Signed) ZIMMERMAN,

"Under Secretary of State for the Foreign Office.

* * * * *

"TO HIS HONOUR, SIR ROGER CASEMENT,
"Eden Hotel, Kurfuerstendamm, Berlin."

"(SECRET)

"COLONEL MURTAGH SKEEL,
"Flying Division, Irish Expeditionary Corps,
"New York.

"For your information I enclose Zimmerman's letter to Sir Roger,
and also the text of Articles 6 and 7, being part of our first
agreement with Sir Roger Casement.

"You will note particularly the Article numbered 7.

"This paragraph, unfortunately, still postpones your suggested
attempt to seize on the high seas a British or neutral steamer
loaded with arms and munitions, and make a landing from her on the
Irish Coast.

"But, in the meantime, is it not possible for you to seize one of
the large ore steamers on the Great Lakes, transfer to her
sufficient explosives, take her into the Welland Canal and blow up
the locks?

"No more valuable service could be performed by Irishmen; no
deadlier blow delivered at England.

"I am, my dear Skeel, your sincere friend and comrade,

"(Signed) VON PAPEN.

"P. S.--Herewith appended are Articles 6 and 7 included in the
Casement convention:

"(SECRET)

"Text of Articles 6 and 7 of the convention concluded between Sir
Roger Casement and the German