Letter from Leopold H. Kerney to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)
(E.S. 50/15)

I would like to call your attention to the possibility which may present itself very shortly for me to visit Madrid for the purpose of inspecting the Legation premises there, of re-hoisting the Irish flag as a measure of protection and reporting on the condition in which I find State property left there when the Legation was temporarily closed down on 13th August 1936.

Certain foreign journalists expect to be allowed to enter Madrid immediately after the fall of the city, and some of these journalists have already provided themselves, in France, with food supplies likely to suffice for a fortnight or longer. It may be supposed that Ambassadors and Ministers accredited to Burgos will be given facilities for visiting the capital as soon as military requirements permit.

I feel that it may be your desire that I should take the first available opportunity of visiting Madrid, and, in this case, I would suggest that I should be so instructed immediately.

Any visit to Madrid should be of the shortest possible duration, living and sanitary conditions there being abnormal; I would have to take food and water supplies with me; I would have to billet myself in the Legation flat which cannot be in a very habitable condition; Madrid is a day's journey by road from San Sebastian; the checking of the Legation linen, china, glassware and other property would make it necessary for me to have the assistance of Miss Donnelly and desirable, for the sake of greater speed in checking and for the purpose of attending to our food requirements, that I should also be accompanied by Mrs. Kerney. I am of opinion that a minimum period of absence from San Sebastian would be 4 days, and it is clear that or stay in Madrid under present circumstances should not be one moment longer than is absolutely necessary.

If some time elapses between the fall of Madrid and my inspection of the Legation premises there, any violation of latter can be imputed to those who now hold Madrid in opposition to General Franco. I would therefore recommend that we should decide as to our attitude as soon as possible and in advance of events which may develop rapidly.