Letter from Seán MacBride to John D. Hickerson (Washington DC)
(Personal)

Dear Mr. Hickerson,
As arranged, I am sending herewith a copy of a memorandum which I am sending to Mr. Hoffman to-day.

This memorandum deals with economic considerations. In addition to these, there are one or two additional considerations which I did not set out in the memorandum to Mr. Hoffman as I felt that being more of a political nature, it would not be appropriate to do so in a memorandum to the E.C.A. I set them out for your consideration hereunder:-

1. In the event of a war, it seems to me that Ireland's capacity to produce food is vital. Britain, as well as other European countries, would require every ounce of food that Ireland can produce so as to minimize a drain on the resources of the United States and to conserve shipping space.

   For this reason, it seems to me that the rapid rehabilitation of such agricultural output is of primary importance.

2. While I appreciate fully that the State Department's view is that it is not directly concerned with the partition of Ireland issue, this issue does, however, unfortunately project itself into the loan versus grant question.

   It is inevitable that the fact that dollars are being given by way of grant to the Six-county area through Britain, whereas aid by way of grant is not being made available to Ireland will be construed as support by the United States to the continuance of partition. This will tend to create an unfavourable impression.

   The fact that the Six-county area has a favourable balance with the Western Hemisphere and is not therefore faced with a dollar shortage will only serve to fortify the impression that some political significance attaches to the decision of E.C.A.

   I feel quite certain that no such political considerations influenced the views of the State Department or of the E.C.A., but I fear nevertheless, whether we like it or not, such implications in the public mind are inevitable.

I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you for the understanding and consideration with which you dealt with our problem. It has been a real pleasure for us to meet you and I hope that we shall meet again in the future.