Memorandum by Joseph P. Walshe on Irish neutrality for Eamon de Valera
(Secret)

NOTE FOR A CONVERSATION WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE OF GERMANY CONCERNING IRELAND'S NEUTRALITY

1. Our position vis-á-vis the European conflict is that of a neutral State.
2. Our neutrality, however, cannot have all the characters of those neutral States which have had a long existence as separate States.
3. We are still linked with the British Commonwealth of Nations, and especially with Great Britain herself, by many ties which the inevitable slowness of our evolution has not allowed us to break. Our State life is only of seventeen years' duration, and it is only within the last decade that our position as an independent sovereign State has been emphasised to the world.
4. Our economic life, and this includes particularly matters relating to finance, currency and shipping, has not yet been fully separated from that of Great Britain.
5. Our geographical position imposes upon us in time of war relations of a peculiarly delicate character with Great Britain. We are of very special importance from the strategic point of view, and we are in constant danger during a war between Great Britain and a Continental Power of being used by that Continental Power as a base of operations against Great Britain. This description holds equally of activities such a propaganda and espionage and of naval, military and air operations in the very widest sense. Any such activities directed against our powerful neighbour would ipso facto constitute a menace to our existence as a separate State. In order to maintain our independence we should be obliged to use every effort to prevent any form of activity which might even remotely affect the interests of Great Britain. An attack on our trade with Great Britain would seriously menace the life of our people, and we should regard it as a violation of our neutrality.
6. We do not intend to participate in any active form in the war against Germany, and we hope that the continuance of the normal relations with Great Britain imposed upon us by historical and geographical considerations will not be regarded as a breach of neutrality on our part.
7. It is of the first importance for this Government in its relations with Great Britain that the German Legation should not allow itself to be used in any way as part of the machinery for the prosecution of the war.
8. Should it not be possible, in the view of the German Minister, to maintain such an attitude, it might on the whole be wiser in the interests of the good relations between Germany and Ireland if both parties withdrew their Legations at the beginning of hostilities between Great Britain and Germany.
9. It would also be an advantage to both sides if we mutually ordered the return of our nationals.
10. Ireland desires to remain on peaceful and friendly relations with all countries in the world. She wishes to remain outside the quarrels of the great ruling countries of the world and to rebuild her own civilisation undisturbed by world rivalries. The Irish Government earnestly hope that war between Great Britain and Germany may still at this last hour be averted, and Germany and Great Britain may be able to settle their conflicting interests by peaceful means.