Letter from Joseph P. Walshe to John W. Dulanty (London)

International Committee for the Application of the Agreement regarding
Non-intervention in Spain

With reference to the questions contained in Secret Document No. 30 N.I.S. 36 (20), I am directed to inform you that the date on which the measures prohibiting the export of arms to Spain became effective in the Irish Free State is the 25th August, 1936.

With regard to Question No. 3 relating to the transit and trans-shipment of war material, I am directed to inform you that the provisions of Section 16 of the Firearms Act, 1925, are adequate to deal with questions relating to transit through or trans-shipment in Saorstát Éireann of arms or munitions.

With regard to the enquiry as to the attitude of the Saorstát Government concerning the treatment to be applied to arms and war material destined for Spain that form part of the cargo of a vessel calling at a port in Saorstát Éireann, I am to say that there are no steps which in practice could be taken to control such merchandise in a vessel calling at a port in Saorstát Éireann.

In reference to the Sub-Committee's request that each member should furnish a statement of its views on the questions set out in N.I.S. 36 (63), I am directed to inform you that as Saorstát Éireann is not a manufacturer of either arms or ammunition the Government do not feel called upon to express their views as to what steps should be taken by Governments in regard to the matters dealt with in these two questions.