Letter from Joseph P. Walshe to John W. Dulanty (London)
(Secret and Confidential) (Copy)

Dear High Commissioner,

When Lord Wigram talks to you again about the form of the replies to be sent to resolutions on the death of King George or the channel through which they are to be directed, would you please inform him that the Minister wishes that the system followed for telegrams of sympathy should be followed in the case of resolutions of public bodies.¹

Replies originating in the Palace are altogether unnecessary. They would rather tend to lessen the atmosphere of appeasement and good will which has been created by the Government's attitude on the King's death. Lord Wigram's replies from the Palace would be regarded by the ordinary Irishman as irritating propaganda, and they might have - in some cases certainly would have - the effect of rousing anti-monarchist passions. Everything here relating to the dead King has been done with dignity and respect. Try to get Lord Wigram to realize that Palace intervention at this moment would defeat the good purpose he wishes to achieve. Political demonstrations on such a sad occasion would be most painful to our Government, and the Minister will not run the risk of provoking them. That the Minister should reply on the King's behalf to messages of sympathy has been regarded by everybody here as the normal and constitutional course.

The Minister does not want to trouble King Edward in this matter, but he would feel obliged to advise him to give contrary instructions if he thought there were any serious intention of changing the present method. I feel sure that Lord Wigram will agree that this is not a case for precedents, but for realism and delicacy of touch.