Code telegram from Joseph P. Walshe to John J. Hearne (Ottawa)
(No. 1) (Personal) (Copy)

Your 90.¹ Appreciate difficulty of dealing direct with such resolutions. Best way to get Irish-Canadians of standing to show that, apart from decision of Irish people to keep out of war, cession of ports would mean immediate destruction of our completely undefended centres of population.

Small nations like Ireland do not and cannot assume role of defenders of just causes except their own. No answer to say Britain would defend us since she can't save her own towns.

Existence of our own people comes before all other considerations. What choice would Canadians make if participation involved them in immediate and terrible destruction.

Moreover, Ireland has been decimated and impoverished by wars and retains only the last remnant of her people and national heritage; another war would make national survival impossible. Some Canadians may say that will be position if Germany wins, but no Government has right to court certain destruction for the people; they have to take the only chance of survival and that is to stay out.

Of course, the real national arguments are much stronger but your friends cannot use them.