Memorandum by Joseph P. Walshe on the dropping of bombs on Irish territory
by German aircraft
(Copy)

The German Minister informed me at 12.45 today that he had received a communication from his Government in reference to our Chargé d'Affaires' protest to his Government concerning the bombings in Ireland and the statement alleged to have been made to the Press by the Foreign Office spokesman on Saturday, 4th January.¹

With regard to the Press statement, the Foreign Office spokesman had not said what was attributed to him by the Associated Press, viz., the bombings were done either by the British or were imaginary. What he had said, in effect, was that it would be unproper to publish the views of the German Government before a communication were made to the Irish Government.

On the 6th January, the same question was put at the Foreign Office conference, and the reply was given that nothing could be said before the Irish Minister had had time to explain matters fully.

To his protest about the bombings, Warnock had received the reply that the German Government had ordered an enquiry, which was not yet finished, but so far the result was negative. In case the enquiry should alter the situation, the German Government would not refuse to express regret and give compensation. At the same time, the German Government mentioned to Warnock the effect of the assumption of the Irish papers as to Germany's guilt on British propaganda and on the American Press which made the Irish references the basis of their attacks on Germany. The Minister went on to say that the German Government would be glad if the Irish Government would give facilities for examining the material pieces of evidence, i.e., the bomb splinters. The German Government further said to Mr. Warnock, according to the German Minister, that British implication should not be excluded.