No. 439 NAI DFA GR 1262-1
Telegram from the Department of External Affairs to Joseph P. Walshe (London)
(Copy)
Dublin, 6.15 pm, 4 October 1930
4 Oct. American Minister1 called here this morning. He stated that he had had previous conversations with you relative desirability, in the view of the American Government, of securing Irish Free State ratification of Naval Treaty at very early date. He said Mr. McGilligan after consulting Executive Council informed him that Dáil approval would be necessary that Dáil would not meet until late in November and that Executive Council was not disposed to ratify without prior submission for two reasons as follows precedents established as regards other important International Instruments and undertakings given to Dáil and possible criticism of Opposition party. Mr. Sterling communicated confidentially to his Government these reasons. Now in view of Japanese ratification and early expected ratification by Australia New Zealand and India situation had altered in the view of his Government and he had received to-day the following cablegram from the Secretary of State:
| 'Now that the Japanese have ratified the Naval Treaty it is understood certain that Australian Colonies New Zealand and India will ratify very promptly. In this case Ireland would be alone in preventing the coming into effect of the Treaty. The Department therefore would be very glad to have you once more take up this matter with the Government of the Free State to see whether some means might not be discovered to bring about ratification immediately. If this cannot be done this Government is suggesting that a ceremony be held at the time of the deposit of the Japanese and American ratifications since the President feels it important that the world should know prior to the meeting of the Preparatory Commission what has been actually accomplished in one phase of disarmament.' |
Mr. Sterling stressed again the desirability of Irish Free State ratifying promptly and desired me inform Mr. McGilligan to see if some means might not be discovered to secure our ratification immediately. I undertook to do this at once and to let him know Mr. McGilligan's decision.
Estero
Purchase Volumes Online
ebooks
The Royal Irish Academy's Documents on Irish Foreign Policy series has published an eBook of confidential correspondence on the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations.
International Counterparts
The international network of Editors of Diplomatic Documents was founded in 1988. Delegations from different parts of the world met for the first time in London in 1989.
Read more ....