Letter from Michael MacWhite to Dr Hernan Velarde¹ (Washington DC)
(Copy)

Excellency:

I have the honour to inform you that the Irish Free State will be a candidate for a non-permanent seat on the Council of the League of Nations at the forthcoming Assembly in September next.

Since her admission to membership of the League of Nations in 1923, the Irish Free State has co-operated most cordially with the other Members in promoting peace, security and good will among nations. She has always advocated the necessity for reducing National armaments to the lowest point consistent with National safety, as well as the enforcement by common action of International obligations.

Her signature of the Optional Clause of the Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice during the last Assembly showed clearly the independence of her attitude on questions of the highest international importance.

In the other spheres of action of the League also, her efforts have been directed towards encouraging wholesome relations between Nations to enable them to make their own contribution to the common cause free from the fear of external violence or injurious pressure of any kind.

The Irish Free State counts on having no enemy or harbouring no enmity in the time to come. Her representatives are, therefore, in a position to examine International problems from a dispassionate and unprejudiced viewpoint, which is so necessary to the successful conclusion of International deliberations.

I have the honour to ask that your Excellency will be good enough to convey this information to your Government, and to hope that we may count on its support.

Accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration.