Extract from a handwritten letter from Francis T. Cremins
to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)
(Confidential)

[matter omitted]

I spoke with many delegates and journalists (and officials) this evening in the lobbies, and I must say that the Laval-Hoare proposals as they are understood at present have few if any friends. The local Greek Minister, who says that Greece desires no trouble between Italy and England in the Mediterranean, said that if the Negus accepts, then all is well, as Peace is what Greece most requires at the moment. That was the nearest approach to satisfaction that I heard. The view most generally expressed was that the proposals were a blow to the League, and a very severe blow to British prestige. One of the officials of the British delegation told me that there was a great and growing opposition to them in England. A British journalist said that the British Delegation were extremely worried. The Editor of the 'Journal de Genéve' said that he received a despatch from London yesterday which he had to cut, it was so condemnatory of the British Govt. and several Americans referred to the shock to public opinion in the United States. One American official showed me the text of a telegram he had received from some Mr. Shotwell of New York who referred to the shock which even non-Leaguers had received. I do not know who Shotwell is, but my informant said that he often criticises the Govt. and has very good connections. My friend added that Americans would say that now that Lake Tana was safe the British were satisfied. The 'Daily Mail' correspondent here thought that Mr. Eden's speech was an invitation to the League to reject the proposals. Others however think that the British Govt. having safeguarded their own interests and having received preliminary thanks for their efforts from Signor Mussolini are now throwing on the other Members of the Council the responsibility of rejection.

The precise procedure to be followed at the Council is not yet known.