Letter from Diarmuid O'Hegarty to Michael McDunphy (Dublin)

Dear McDunphy,

Your letter of 24th instant¹ duly received, as also your code wire² on the subject of the ratification of the Naval Treaty. It would be quite impossible to ask the other parties to the Treaty to hold up their ratifications. The ceremony of ratification has been arranged, public notice of the arrangements has been given, and preparations made for broadcasting speeches and so forth.

There are two dates of importance in this matter. One date is the 27th, and that is of importance solely from the point of view of having all the ratifications simultaneously deposited. This cannot now be done, even if the leaders agree to our proposition on Monday. The second date is the 6th November, which is the date upon which the Preparatory Commission for Disarmament meets. If the leaders agree, our ratification can be prepared and deposited before that date, and the Treaty can come into operation immediately. This would satisfy the American Government. Of course, if you cannot secure agreement, we cannot even do this, and we must wait over until after the Dáil meets before ratifying.