Extract from a letter from Count Gerald O'Kelly de Gallagh to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)¹
(109B/30)

[matter omitted]

I propose during the course of the summer conducting a regular canvass, not only among those countries whom I have not yet approached but also among those whom I have seen in the spring. Now that I will have a villa in the suburbs I propose cultivating the various ministers concerned and will give a series of small luncheon parties and probably one garden party for people likely to be of use to us in the course of the summer. I will keep you in touch with what is done. Last night I was present at a banquet and reception given by the Venezuelan minister, M. Zumeta, in honour of the inauguration of a statue of General Miranda, one of the revolutionary generals who, leaving France, was instrumental in establishing the Independence of Venezuela. Apart from members of the French Foreign Office and of the press, the guests were entirely South and Central American. I find that I was invited because of the services rendered by various Irish soldiers in the establishment of South American republics. As a spontaneous gesture on the part of M. Zumeta this augurs well for our League of Nations candidature. By a curious coincidence I was in a position to stress a quite spurious personal relationship with South America. Some days ago, I picked up on a book stall a copy of a life of General Miranda written some thirty years ago by a member of the French branch of my family. When I received this invitation to the banquet I presented this work with a suitable dedication to M. Zumeta and I believe that it caused him considerable pleasure.

During the course of the evening I had a conversation with M. Guerrero, the Minister for Salvador, who told me that he had already canvassed a certain number of his South American colleagues and that we could certainly count on at least five or six of their votes so far. I did not press him for names as he did not volunteer them himself. He again referred to the fact that he felt confident the Little Entente would support us.