Letter from Daniel A. Binchy to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)

I had an interview to-day at 12.30 by appointment with Dr. Curtius,¹ acting Foreign Minister. Our conversation was exceedingly cordial, and Dr. Curtius, who is ordinarily Minister for Industry and Commerce, surprised me by his knowledge of Irish economic matters. We also had a general conversation on the political situation in Germany with particular reference to the burning question of the 'Volksbegehren', the initiative of which you will doubtless have read in the newspapers. I told Dr. Curtius that a precisely similar problem had confronted the Irish Government 2 years ago. He expressed the greatest interest in the measures which our Government had taken to deal with the question, and said that he wished that the German Government could only act with equal decision. He assured me over and over again of the friendly feelings which he always entertained towards Ireland and stated that they were shared, as far as he knew, by every single member of the cabinet of the Reich.

2. The President of the Reich has left Berlin for a few days. Therefore Dr. Curtius and Graf Tattenbach, Director of the Protocol, who was also present, stated that I would be unable to present my credentials before the beginning of next week. I pointed out to them that our Minister in Paris had already presented his credentials last Saturday, but said that if the German Government were content to wait, I had no objection. They both deplored the fact that it had not been possible to permit me to anticipate the Minister in Paris, but said that they fully realised that the fault was not mine.

3. We then proceeded to speak of the question of the reciprocity. The Minister said that he hoped that my Government would not take it ill if there was a slight delay on the German side before full reciprocity could be given. He said that they would appoint Herr von Dehn immediately as Chargé d'Affaires, but his nomination to the rank of Minister Plenipotentiary could only follow when the consent of the Reichstag had been obtained. He did not anticipate the least difficulty in obtaining this consent, as he believed that the establishment of the Legation in Dublin would be universally popular among all parties. As I was already aware that you have no particular wish to receive Herr von Dehn as Minister before the end of next month, I refrained from pressing the matter unduly, but I pointed out the possibility of his being anticipated in Dublin by a French colleague if there was any undue delay. The Minister was undoubtedly impressed by this; he stated that he would at once institute inquiries through the German Minister in Paris, Herr von Hösch, as to when the French Government intended to accredit a Minister, and that if there was any immediate danger, he would secure at all costs that Dehn should be appointed first. He did not define the methods by which he would secure the assent, and I did not press him to explain. I assume from his words to me that he is prepared, should the appointment of the French Minister become imminent, to anticipate the consent of the Reichstag and nominate Dehn off his own bat. I left him with the assurance that Dehn would be most heartily welcomed as Minister by all classes in Dublin, and that the sooner he was appointed the better every one would be pleased.

4. In the absence of Herr von Schubert I had an interview with one of the assistant secretaries Dr. Köpke. As he does not deal with either England or Ireland, our conversation was merely of a general nature.

5. I regret that in yesterday's minute, I confirmed the despatch of a telegram which in reality was never sent. But immediately after my interview with Dr. Curtius to-day I sent you a wire which I hereby confirm: