Letter from Seán Murphy to Count Gerald O'Kelly de Gallagh (Paris)

As you are already aware the Saorstát will be a candidate in September next for one of the non-permanent seats on the Council of the League. While there is no regulation regarding the allocation of the non-permanent seats, it has become the practice that these seats are filled by countries representing spheres of interest in the League, i.e. Latin American group, etc. In practice therefore we would be a candidate for the seat vacated by Canada.

For the purpose of notifying the other members of the League of our candidature and, if possible, of obtaining their support, the Minister proposes that you should bring this matter formally to the notice of the members of the Diplomatic Corps whose countries are members of the League. You should ask them to inform their Government of the Saorstát's candidature and express the hope that they will vote for us at the election. Where possible it would be well to use your personal influence with your colleagues to get the support of their Governments. Informally you could point out that we are a mother country: that since our entry into the League we have taken an independent attitude on League matters. You could say that you understand Australia is also likely to be a candidate and the inference will, I think, be clear. We understand that if Australia goes forward the British will support her against us. So we are particularly anxious to secure all the votes possible.

We got the impression at Geneva that the South American States are favourably disposed to us, as are the Scandinavian countries, so it would be well to cultivate your colleagues from these countries. Holland is also favourable. Amongst the larger States Germany is the only one likely to support, more especially if the British let it be known they favour Australia. Amongst the Members of the Commonwealth we can rely on Canada and South Africa.

I¹ enclose for your information a list of the delegates to the last Assembly who were friendly with our delegation.² When speaking to your colleagues it may be useful to mention that our delegation or some member of it was in touch with their delegation.

I understand from the Minister that M. Guani³ told him he would use his influence to get the Latin American Countries to vote for us. If this could be secured we would be practically certain of election. It would therefore be well to pay particular attention to M. Guani and to let him know how much we appreciate his offer. It might be well to let him know that you are informing all the Corps of our candidature as we understand it is his intention to put us in touch with all his South American Colleagues in this matter.