NOT THE ONLY REVOLT OF 1916

The United States occupation of the Dominican Republic occurred from 1916 to 1924. It was one of the many interventions in Latin America undertaken by American military forces. On May 13, 1916, Rear Admiral William B. Caperton forced the Dominican Republic's Secretary of War Desiderio Arias, who had seized power from Juan Isidro Jimenes Pereyra, to leave Santo Domingo by threatening the city with naval bombardment
Three days after Arias left the country, United States Marines landed and took control of the country within two months,[1] and in November the United States imposed a military government under Rear Admiral Harry Shepard Knapp. The marines restored order throughout most of the republic, with the exception of the eastern region; the country's budget was balanced, its debt was diminished, and economic growth resumed; infrastructure projects produced new roads that linked all the country's regions for the first time in its history; a professional military organization, the Dominican Constabulary Guard, replaced the partisan forces that had waged a seemingly endless struggle for power.
Most Dominicans, however, greatly resented the loss of their sovereignty to foreigners, few of whom spoke Spanish or displayed much real concern for the welfare of the republic. A guerrilla movement, known as the gavilleros, enjoyed considerable support from the population in the eastern provinces of El Seibo and San Pedro de Macorís. Having knowledge of the local terrain, they fought against the United States occupation from 1917 to 1921. American naval forces maintained order during a period of chronic and threatened insurrection. In 1921, the gavilleros were crushed due to the superior air power, firepower and counterinsurgency methods of the United States military

The Battle of Athens: 1916


French troops in Athens, with the Acropolis in the background, after the Noemvriana.
On early morning of 1 December 1916 the Allies landed a 3,000[35]-strong marineforce in Piraeus, and headed towards Athens.When the Allied troops reached their designated positions, they found them already occupied by Greek troops. For more than two hours both sides stood facing each other. Some time in the morning, an unknown origin rifle shot was fired and the battle of Athens began. Each side blamed the other for firing first. Once the battle spread throughout the city, the king requested a ceasefire proposing a solution and reach a compromise. Du Fournet, with a small contingent of troops was unprepared to encounter organized Greek resistance, and was already short of supplies, so readily accepted the king's compromise. However, before an agreement was finalized, the battle resumed. The Greek battery from Arditos Hill fired a number of rounds at the entrance of Zappeion where the French admiral had established his headquarters. The Allied squadron from Phaliron responded by bombarding sections of the city, mostly around the Stadium and near the Palace soon were resumed and a final compromise was reached. The king compromised to surrender just six artillery batteries camouflaged in the mountains instead of the ten that the Allied Admiral demanded. By late afternoon the battle was finished. The Allies had suffered 194 casualties, dead and wounded, and the Greeks lost 82, not counting civilians. By early morning of 2 December, all Allied forces had been evacuated.
The role of the Venizelists during the battle has been intensely contested by witnesses and historians. Admiral Louis du Fournet wrote that Venizelists supported the Allies and attacked passing Greek royalist army units. Venizelists participation was allegedly so extensive, that lead Admiral du Fourne wrote in his report that he had been involved in a civil war. The Venizelists continued fighting after the evacuation of the Allied marines until the next day, when they capitulated. The royalists claimed that large caches of weapons and ammunition were found in their strongholds packed in French military containers. Venizelists were led to prison surrounded by a furious mob and supposedly only the royal army escorts saved them from being murdered by the angry citizens. Other historians deny that the Venizelists collaborated with the Allied forces: Pavlos Karolidis, a contemporary royalist historian, argues that no Venizelist attacked their fellow citizens and the only weapons found during the raids on prominent Venizelists' houses were knifes.

LOOKS JUST TOO FAMILIAR

Watching coverage of events in Tripoli, Libya in recent days, the reporting of events from the Mitiga Hospital gave me some sense of the pressure the staff at St. Patricks Dun hospital must have been under and the distressing scenes following the slaughter at Mount Street Bridge.

STAMP OF CLASS

Advertisement

An advertisement for the Wireless School operated by PK Turner and renamed the Irish School of Wireless Telegraphy. This school was closed at the outbreak of World War One but was used by the rebels to broadcast during the Rising.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ON TRIPADVISOR

“A Must!!”
Reviewed August 16, 2011
I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Very informative, and a great tour guide. I would highly recommend it. A must for Irish history lovers.

“Different way to relive this history”
Reviewed August 13, 2011
Really enjoyed this tour, tour guide really knew his information and funny tip bits!!! Great tour.

“Brilliant!”
Reviewed July 29, 2011
Was amazing, learnt stuff i never knew, recommended!

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4TH 2011

WE WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT THERE ARE A SELECT FEW SEAT AVAILABLE FOR THE EASTER RISING COACH TOUR DEPARTING SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4TH 2011 AT 3P.M.

IF YOU ARE VISITING OUR WONDERFUL CITY AND WOULD LIKE TO JOIN US PLEASE VISIT www.1916easterrisingcoachtour.ie FOR FURTHER DETAILS

SKY NEWS LIVE INTERVIEW WITH PADRAIG PEARSE

Watching the Libyan story unfold and the talk of revolution and rebels, I wonder how CNN, Sky News and even Al Jazerra would have covered the 1916 Easter Rising with their 24 hour news cycles. Would Alex Crawford have been embedded with the rebels in the GPO?

GRAND NATIONAL MEETING

THIS IS THE 'TURF' REPORT FROM THE FAIRYHOUSE MEETING THAT WAS ATTENDED BY SO MANY BRITISH SOLDIERS THUS LEAVING THE CENTRE OF THE CITY UNPROTECTED. THE REPORTER DETAILS THE PROBLEMS THAT RACE GOERS HAD IN GETTING HOME AND THAT SOME WERE STILL STUCK THREE DAYS LATER

STRANDVILLE V SHAMROCK ROVERS

Some people were asking me for a report of the Strandville v Shamrock Rover Match that was played on the weekend of the Easter Rising. Here is the match report from the Freeman's Journal.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4TH 2011

WE WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT THERE ARE A SELECT FEW SEAT AVAILABLE FOR THE EASTER RISING COACH TOUR DEPARTING SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4TH 2011 AT 3P.M.

IF YOU ARE VISITING OUR WONDERFUL CITY AND WOULD LIKE TO JOIN US PLEASE VISIT www.1916easterrisingcoachtour.ie FOR FURTHER DETAILS

THE MORSE CODE MESSAGE THE REBELS SENT OUT

- .... . / .. .-. .. ... .... / .-. . .--. ..- -... .-.. .. -.-. / .... .- ... / -... . . -. / -.. . -.-. .-.. .- .-. . -.. / .. -. / -.. ..- -... .-.. .. -. .-.-.- / - .... . / .-- .... --- .-.. . / -.-. --- ..- -. - .-. -.-- / .... .- ... / .-. .. ... . -. .-.-.- / .--. .- -.. .-. .- .. --. / .--. . .- .-. ... . / .--. .-. . ... .. -.. . -. - / --- ..-. / - .... . / .--. .-. --- ...- .. ... .. --- -. .- .-.. / --. --- ...- . .-. -. -- . -. -

YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD?

In late 2011 Ireland will go to the polls to elect a new President of the Republic and as it stands with the field of candidates the average age is 60. The average age of the previous eight Presidents since Douglas Hyde to Mary McAleese has been 62 years old. But as our Republic aged since the Easter Rising the age of our leaders has steadily increased. Padraig Pearse was just 36 years old when he led the new Irish Republic in 1916. The average age of the men who signed the Proclamation was 39. The average of the men who sacrificed their lives for their nation and were executed in 1916 was 38. The average of the leaders of the Rising Pearse, McDonagh, Clarke, Plunkett, Ceannt, McDermott, Connolly, Willie Pearse, Daly, O'Hanrahan, McBride, Mallin, Colbert, Heuston, Kent, Casement, DeValera, The Countess, Ashe, Mellows, Collins, Mulcahy and Brugha was just 36 years old. Michael Collins was 32 years old when he led a new nation while Enda Kenny was 60 when he took charge. Why is there no trust in youth? Why must a citizen be 70 before he is elected to high office? Is it any wonder that the youth of the nation feel isolated and disenfranchised by a different generation.

EASTER RISING COACH TOUR SOUVENIR

See EBAY to purchase one of these beautifully crafted Dublin Crystal made glass SouvenirS depicting the iconic GPO, home of the Easter Rising.

THE GERMANS ARE COMING

This boat was pictured today on the Grand Canal. A German Polezei vessel moored opposite the bank of Ireland HQ. Are they really this concerned about the bailout? The last time the Germans arrived in Ireland was 1916 and we know what happened then.

IN THE BEGINNING

Pearse, Connolly and Plunkett emerged through the door and stood on the steps looking out over their men. Connolly had remained in Liberty Hall all night as he had done on numerous occasions in the previous weeks refining the plans. Pearse had arrived that morning at eight thirty a.m. with his brother William having cycled from their family home in Rathfarnham. As they stood on the steps, Padraig Pearse’s sisters approached him and begged him to return home and not to be involved in such nonsense. Connolly saved Pearse the embarrassment of having to argue with his sister in front of the assembled men by barking out the order,
‘Form Fours’
The men formed into column of fours. William O’Brien turned to Connolly as they moved down the steps and asked,
‘Is there any chance of success?’
‘None whatsoever’ was the quick and straight reply.

At precisely midday, with Pearse and Connolly sitting in the front and Clarke McDermott and Plunkett in the back seat of a touring car driven by The O’Rahilly, the soldiers marched off turning left into Middle Abbey Street heading towards O’Connell Street. One of those Volunteers guarding the car as they drove up Abbey Street was Denis Daly fresh from is mission to Kerry. Bringing up the rear of the marching column were two motor cyclists, Jack Plunkett, youngest brother of Plunkett family and Fergus O’Kelly. Also amongst the men was James Connolly’s son Roddy who marched off to an uncertain future but with floods of adrenalin pumping through his young body.

As Monday was a Bank Holiday in the city, the streets were deserted, the population having taken advantage of the fine day to go to the racing in Fairyhouse or headed to the various beaches around the city. As the soldiers marched up Abbey Street, they reached Malborough Street junction where ordinary Dubliners paused as they waited to cross the street watching in silence unconcerned that a group of armed men were marching on the street as this had become common sight especially since the landing of weapons from Germany at Howth and Kilcoole in 1914. Many Dubliners were indifferent to these men and their aspirations and just thought of them as grown men playing children’s games rather than a fighting force. Few of the people standing at the edge of the pavement could have suspected that this march was about to change the course of both Irish and European history forever.

The column reached O’Connell Street. Reis’s Chambers to their left, the Hibernian Bank to their right. They wheeled right crossing the wide thoroughfare before halting outside The General Post Office. The grey imposing building dominated the left side of the street. On one side of the GPO was the splendour of the Metropole Hotel and on the other Henry Street. The building was designed by Francis Johnson and built between 1814 and 1818. A portico of six ionic columns, pilasters in the Greco-Roman styles and three floors of space cost fifty thousand pounds to build. Perched on the roof of the building over looking the cobbled stone streets, Nelson’s Column, the city tram terminus and the vast expense of Sackville Street, were the three statues of Mercury, Hibernia and Fidelity. Two hundred and fifty six feet high the building had under gone major refurbishment re opening in May 1915 with a new telegraph room installed in the basement. When the rebels stormed the building some of the men headed for the Telegraph Room and ejected the operators. The leaders knew that communications were important to their cause and to stop the British communicating was just important.

The soldiers of the New Republic received their orders to line up in front of the main doors of the Post Office and awaited further commands from their leaders. According to Fergus O’Kelly
‘The Angelus was ringing in Malborough Street’ from the Roman Catholic Pro Cathedral.

Two of the eight unarmed members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police on duty that day in O’Connell Street were directly across the road outside Cleary’s Department store watching the events unfold. The two lawmen dressed in their blue uniforms, helmets, white gloves and shiny black shoes mused,
‘Those Sinn Feiners are at it again. Their mammies have let them out to play again.’
Just as he had finished that sentence across the street outside the impressive façade the order was given,
‘Charge’ boomed out and the men rushed into the G.P.O. Those patrons doing business inside seemed to be only a little discommoded by this intrusion and the order for them to evacuate the building was generally ignored. The two policemen opposite crossed over to investigate the matter further passing the one hundred and thirty five foot high stone column statue of Lord Admiral Nelson. Just as the men reached the corner of Henry Street and approached the main entrance a shot rang out fired into the ceiling inside scattering the customers who were now hurriedly making their way out passed the policemen. According to Joseph Gleeson’s WS another unarmed D.M.P. officer Edward Dunphy who was on duty inside the building was seized by the Johnny O’Connor making him the first prisoner of war. Dunphy was a forty four year old policeman originally from County Offaly. Married to Kildare born Elizabeth Dunphy lived on Sherrard Avenue just off Dorset Street near the Royal Canal. His two colleagues outside grabbed some of the fleeing citizens and having ascertained the reason for the shot made a hasty retreat along with the customers. The few Dubliners who had paid their thrupence to ascend the one hundred and sixty eight steps to the observation platform of Nelson’s Pillar also beat a rapid retreat. Once the leaders were sure that the building had been emptied they set about securing it against a British counter attack.

STRANGE WORLD

A barstool philosopher recently imparted these words of wisdom to me.
'My great Grandfather came over to Dublin from Manchester to fight for Ireland against the British during the Easter Rising, I now go to Manchester to support a British soccer team. My grandfather fought during the War of Independence to free Ireland from British rule, I now shop in Tesco's and M&S instead of Dunnes and Superquinn. My father served in the Irish Army in 1969 and believed that they would be invading the North, I now pay more monthly to Vodaphone than give yearly to Irish charities. I myself have watched Britain escape the ravages of a financial meltdown and curse the failure of the Irish economy yet I spent thousands of pounds sterling in Sainsbury's in Newry instead of Clery's of O'Connell Street which is across the road from where my great grandfather began the fight.