Extract from a confidential report from Charles Bewley
to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin) (43/33)

In¹ accordance with our telephone conversation of yesterday, I asked for an interview with Staatssekretär von Bülow, but found that he is at present on leave and that Ministerialdirektor Dieckhof is doing his work. I accordingly went to see the latter this morning, and told him that the Irish Government had heard various reports of Dr von Dehn-Schmidt's recall from Roumania, and would like to be unofficially informed what had taken place, as it appeared to be connected with his conduct in Dublin. Mr. Dieckhoff told me the facts, practically as I wrote you before, and mentioned that Dr von Dehn- Schmidt had stated that the kissing of a Bishop's ring was the general custom in Ireland also frequently for non-Catholics and that he had only followed the example of, e.g., the American Minister, Mr. Sterling. I said that this was undoubtedly so, and that it was the reason why the Irish Government felt to a certain extent concerned, because the disciplinary measures seemed to have been resorted to for the offence of what amounted to no more than the observance of a local custom. Mr. Dieckhoff said that that was realized, and that he need not say that the last thing in the thoughts of the German authorities was to do anything which could possibly give offence in Ireland, but that (1). the Minister was not a Catholic; (2). he had kissed the Nuncio's ring before the camera; (3). his attitude in the photograph had been very much commented on, 'he looked as if he was going to prostrate himself before the Nuncio'. He further mentioned the precedent of Bismarck, who had stood during a Catholic ceremony in Rome instead of kneeling, and on applying subsequently for instructions was informed that he had acted rightly. (This custom is still observed by most of the non-Catholic representatives of foreign states to the Holy See.)

I asked what Dr. von Dehn-Schmidt's present position was. Dr. Dieckhoff said that a week ago it had not yet been decided, as he was to have an audience with the Chancellor. He then rang up the Department of the Foreign Office which deals with Roumania, and ascertained that the Minister has been 'placed at disposition'. I asked exactly what the consequences of this measure were. He said that it was a suspension, which could be temporary or permanent, but in this case was temporary; later the ex-Minister could either be given another post or placed permanently on retreat. It carries a special payment, which is higher than a pension.

Dr. Dieckhoff did not repeat what Mr. Hemmen had said to me - that these disciplinary measures were against the wishes of the Foreign Office, but he mentioned that the photograph had caused considerable excitement in the Party - which amounts to the same thing.

It is of course well known that the Foreign Office has difficulties with the more extreme members of the Party, who consider that diplomacy should be run on extreme democratic and anti-semitic lines and would like a general clearance of all officials who are not members of the National Socialist Party. The Aussenpolitisches Amt of the Party, under the leadership of Rosenberg, constitutes a sort of rival organization, with of course no actual functions, but a certain amount of influence. Although the Chancellor is far too cautious to let it have its way in important questions of policy, he undoubtedly makes concessions to it in less important matters, and it may be assumed that among these may be reckoned the late German Minister in Dublin.

[matter omitted]