Extract from a memorandum from Eamon de Valera to Arthur Griffith (London)

I received yours of the 18th.¹ There is no doubt whatever Lloyd George has the diehard crowd to fight, but it is well that he should realise there are people in this country who are just as determined on their side.

TELEGRAM TO THE POPE: I am sure this was somewhat disconcerting, but it could not be helped. They must be taught that propaganda stunts, such as this exchange of messages between themselves and the Vatican, will not be allowed to pass unchallenged by us. Though it might be explained as spontaneous on the Vatican's part, the balance of the probabilities to my mind is that the inspiration of the Vatican's message came from British sources. We cannot expect the Vatican to recognise us, but we have a right to expect that it will not go out of its way to proclaim its denial of recognition as it did by addressing King George alone as if he were the common father, so to speak, of both disputant nations.

By this message the Vatican recognised the struggle between Ireland and Britain as purely a domestic one for King George, and, by implication, pronounced judgement against us. The British reply took the misrepresentation a step further. By that reply the dispute was made 'domestic' not merely to the 'United Kingdom' as one affecting the two islands constituents of it, but domestic to Ireland alone, between the two warring factions of King George's 'people' there.