Despatch from Patrick McGilligan to Lord Passfield (London)
(D.4714) (No. 381) (Secret) (Copy)

My Lord,

With reference to Your Lordship's despatch No. 566 Secret of the 22nd November, I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State have appointed Mr. P. McGilligan, Minister for External Affairs, Mr. D. FitzGerald, Minister for Defence and Professor T. Smiddy, High Commissioner, as their representatives at the Naval Conference. It is not considered probable that these three delegates can be present at any time together, but every effort will be made to secure that one delegate - probably Professor Smiddy - shall assist at all the sittings.

2. His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State presume that the full power issued by His Majesty to His Government in the United Kingdom will be restricted to the jurisdictional area of that Government just as the full power issued to the other Governments of the Commonwealth will be restricted to their respective jurisdictional areas. That was the position in relation to the full powers at the Geneva Conference,¹ and the delegates acted exclusively for their own governments. I have no doubt that there is no intention on the part of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom to suggest any change, but as several newspapers of repute have stated that the Washington panel system was to be revived, I should be very glad to have the definite assurance from you that no return to the Washington system is in effect contemplated.