Letter from Joseph P. Walshe to Charles Bewley (Vatican City)
(E.A. 231/4/50) (Copy)

The Minister would like to have a report from you within the next ten days on the general position of the Saorstát in Rome at the present time.¹ You should include your relations with the British Legation and with the Embassy, if any. The repercussions on our position in Rome of the quarrel between the British and the Vatican is an obvious point for discussion. You are, of course, aware that the actual breaking off of relations between them would be a constitutional gain to us. The divisibility or severalty of the monarchy would receive concrete proof if the King, while quarrelling with the Holy See so far as one of the Governments of the Commonwealth was concerned, were on very friendly terms in respect of another of these Governments. However, as the complete breach might not be for the good of religion in general, we must only hope that other more suitable occasions will arise for testing the theory.

    The Minister is particularly anxious to have a full report from you before the Ministers disperse on holidays. There is no need to have it typed. The typing can be done here, and copies sent to you.