Diarmuid O'Hegarty to Desmond FitzGerald (Dublin)
(S. 4040)

The Minister for External Affairs.

With reference to the various Colonial Office Despatches which have been received regarding the Protocol for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, I am directed by the President to inquire what progress has been made by you in the examination of this matter. He considers it very unfortunate that we appear to be the only one of the members of the Commonwealth which has not been able to reply to the British communications on the subject.

The President thinks, in view of the importance of the question, and of the extent of the documents which have to be gone through, that you should have a summary of the whole case prepared for the information of members of the Council. This summary should contain:-

(a) The important provisions of the Protocol and the arguments for and against these provisions.

(b) The action, if any, in which the adoption of the Protocol might involve us, and generally the effect which such adoption might have on our relations with other States.

(c) Our constitutional position in regard to its adoption and to any considerations set out under heading (b), with information as to whether any other States members of the League are similarly circumstanced.

(d) A draft of the reply which should be sent to the British Government on the subject (which should contain a suitable explanation of the delay which has occurred).