Telegram from Joseph P. Walshe to the Irish Legation in Paris

Unnumbered for your information following statement is being given by the Minister to associated press tonight.

Begins: 'The desire of the Irish people and the desire of the Irish government is to keep our nation out of war. The aim of the government policy is to maintain and preserve our neutrality in the event of war. The best way to and the only way to secure our aim, is to put ourselves in the best position possible to defend ourselves, so that no one can hope to attack us, or violate our territory with impunity. We know, of course, that should an attack come from a power other than Great Britain, Great Britain, in her own interests must help us to repel it. Mr. de Valera said that the Irish government had not entered into any commitments with Great Britain. His government was free to follow any course that Irish interests might dictate. Statement will be circulated in the press'.