Letter from Seán Lester to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)

DISARMAMENT

Visit of President de Valera to Geneva

The President's time will be very fully occupied while he is in Geneva with his duties as President of the Council. Nevertheless, I think it should be borne in mind that the meeting of the General Commission of the Disarmament Conference may provide an opportunity for a useful declaration which might add considerably to the prestige of the President personally and of the Saorstát.

At the moment I can make no specific suggestions but I think the ground might be explored in a general fashion before the President's departure from Dublin. Preliminary consideration might e.g. be given to questions such as the Government's own defence policy and its relation to the various schemes put forward here (a memorandum from the Department of Defence, failing the better method of personal interviews at home, would in any case be valuable for myself); whether we are to look upon the British proposals with complete objectivity; and whether a definite line might not be taken on the German claim for equality.

Even if it be not desirable or possible for the President to speak personally it will be useful for the delegate at the Conference to be in a position to discuss such questions with the President while he is in Geneva.