‘The Irish Times’ publishes comments from international press on first World War

A daily notebook, Monday to Friday, recalling the events of the day 100 years ago, leading to the Easter Rising and noting the commemorations this spring.

January 8th, 1916

Routine orders to the Dublin Brigade in The Irish Volunteer: "Orders for the week ending 9th January, 1916: 1 – Classes at Headquarters as usual [2 Dawson Street]; 2 – Lecture for junior officers on Saturday at 8 pm; 3 – Inspection of 3rd Batt. At Camden Row on Sunday by the Brigade Commandant. The Battalion will assemble at 10.45 am; 4 – Officers will hold themselves in readiness for immediate examination. Signed: Eamonn de Valera, Brigade-Adjutant."

The Irish Times publishes comments from the international press: Cologne Gazette: "The introduction of compulsion [military service in UK] is the final admission of Germany's military successes and of England's defeat. The old England has already lost the war . . ."

The Figaro editorialises: "The friends of Ireland will regret that the Nationalist members of Parliament have placed themselves outside, and have, in fact, furnished the principal contingent of the 105 members who voted against the Compulsory Service Bill."

The Echo de Paris estimates that there are now 25 enemy submarines operating in the Mediterranean.

A despatch from Mr H Warner Allen, the representative of the British press with the French armies: "In the past, outside the actual fighting area, there was little danger either for combatants or civilians, except perhaps from a daring cavalry raid. Today, however, miles from all active operations a civilian has an excellent chance of being killed for his country, as Londoners have discovered only too well from the Zeppelin raids . . .

“Even apart from aeroplanes and Zeppelin there are many places twenty miles behind the lines which have undergone bombardment.”

"Once again" the US has received a promise from Germany that the behaviour of its submarine commandants "will be shaped according to the rules of civilised warfare in the future". The authorities in Washington have been assured that no more passenger or cargo ships will be sunk in the Mediterranean without notice, and that the people on board will be placed in a safe position before a ship is destroyed.

The grave diggers of Glasnevin Cemetery “to the number of thirty, went on strike on Saturday owing to the Cemetery Committee’s refusal to grant them an extra shilling for Sunday work.”