Memorandum from Leopold H. Kerney to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)
(S.S.27/6) (Copy)

Ireland's Attitude in European War

I learned by the Radio on 2nd inst. that Ireland had decided to observe strict neutrality.

I enclose cutting from to-day's 'Voz de España'; this is a message from London dated 8th September stating that the British Minister for Information has announced the creation of a British naval base on the south coast of Ireland, and others elsewhere; I gather that Spanish ships proceeding to Ireland would have to put in there.

I do not accept this report as being correct; there was no reference to it by Radio-Éireann at 10.30 p.m. on 8th September. It does not fit in with Irish neutrality and therefore could only be correct if there had been a violation of that neutrality by England, and, consequently, a state of war between England and Ireland.

The latest communication received by me from you was sent from Dublin on 28th August and delivered here on 1st September.

Postal correspondence necessarily suffers delay; a personal letter addressed to me from Dublin on 31st August reached St. Jean de Luz on 7th September and another posted on 1st September was delivered there on the 8th September.

The Irish newspapers of 1st and 2nd September have reached me today, 9th September.