Letter from Count Gerald O'Kelly de Gallagh to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)
(109B)

I have the honour to inform you that I received a visit this morning from the Hungarian Minister who came to tell me the result of the démarche he made with his Government, in connection with our candidature for the League of Nations.

Mr. Villani informed me that whilst his Government were very sympathetic to our proposition, they were rather reluctant to bind themselves to any course of action so far ahead. Mr. Villani however gave me to understand that in all probability his Government would support us and assured me that so far as he was concerned, we could count upon him to use all his influence in our favour.

On the general question of canvassing in connection with the League of Nations, I think that it is wiser, in view of Mr. Murphy's minute of the 17th inst.,¹ to interrupt canvassing operations until such time as we know what the attitude of the Australian Government is going to be. I would certainly be in a much stronger position, were I able to say that Australia had withdrawn her candidature.