Letter from Joseph P. Walshe to Count Gerald O'Kelly de Gallagh (Paris)
(Copy)

Dear O'Kelly,

Yours of the 26th received.¹ The position between ourselves and the Soviet Government has never been defined. There never has been a breach of relations as there never was a formal establishment of relations. If at all possible you should include them. Anything in the nature of a slight would have its repercussions at home in the Dáil and in labour circles. It would be said that we were again acting under the British baton. The British are now establishing relations with the Soviet Government and they can hardly regard a formal visit to the Soviet Embassy as endangering the existence of the Commonwealth. The best course therefore seems to be that you should include that Embassy in your rounds. There is not going to be any publicity and why should you worry. You will take it in in the ordinary course and if anyone expresses surprise you can express still greater surprise at the mere idea of omitting an act of courtesy, which can hardly be called - in our circumstances - an act of formal recognition. You will, in any case, be acting in accord with instructions, though it is not necessary to say so, should the Canadians or the British make any comments on your action.

There is no doubt whatever about the Turks. We regard them as old friends, at least since they sent us a food ship during the famine, and there is not the slightest technical reason why you should not cultivate close friendship with them.