Letter from Colman O'Donovan to John W. Dulanty (The Dolphin Inn, Thorpeness, Suffolk)

Dear High Commissioner,
In the course of a telephone call to-day Joe Walshe said that they had had a communication from the Valencia Government asking for our consent to the appointment of a Chargé d'Affaires in Dublin. They have replied that though they value the maintenance of relations with the Spanish people they do not wish at the present moment to take any action which might be regarded in some quarters as interference in Spanish affairs and have suggested that as the post has now been vacant for more than a year it might continue so for the present. In other words, they have turned down the request though they have been very polite about it. Joe Walshethought you would like to know of this as it represents a new stage in the course of our relations with the Spanish Government.

There is no news yet of a resumption of Non-Intervention Meetings. It looks as if the two sides in Spain will accept the proposals that have been submitted to them in the matter of guaranteeing the safety of the patrol ships and I think it is expected that when this acceptance comes to hand a meeting of the Committee will be held, in which Germany and Italy would take part.