Memorandum on the training of candidates for the diplomatic service

Candidates for the diplomatic service
Training suggestions
1 Number. General outline of project
Select six candidates to begin with as an experiment-
Paris 1
Berlin 2
Rome 1
Madrid 2
Add to these the young men already abroad viz.:- Binchy, O'Brien, Dempsey, Murphy, Esmonde, who must have a share in the training if their present limited experience is to be of serious value to us. At present they are not trained, and unless they get leisure from office routine, never will be trained.

With clever young men it will be quite possible to establish such a division of work as will enable the office work to be efficiently done and allow plenty of time each day for attendance at University courses and other suggested exercises.

Thus they will learn the essentials of office work and get their intellectual training at the same time. This will need very careful organising but it can be done.

To this must be added £150 bonus for travelling and acquiring a knowledge of the Country - and a general voyage of all to some central city e.g. Brussels after six months for the holding of a congress at which to compare notes and give the results of their work. The Foreign Minister might preside at this congress. (Note - present salaries to be deducted from the above total)

It may be necessary to add certain 'frais de representation,' but they should be on the delegation budget as it will be the delegates' duty to 'bring out' the probationers and get them to join societies etc.

III Nature of Studies
While all should attend general lectures - (a few each week) on art and literature and diplomatic history each individual should have a special subject

It must be understood that a perfect pronouncing knowledge of the language is required from each as well as the mere facility. They must all attend classes where the Native Actors are taught to enunciate.

Of course they must keep careful notes of their work to enable them to use it in practice.

IV Conclusion:
The work can be done within a single year if it is done intensely.

It would be as well as far as possible to select young men with a legal education. Their instructions must be very explicit and it must be made clear to them that from the financial point of view the career is worth while.

They should be under the authority of the local delegate, unless he is incapable of understanding the idea.