Desmond FitzGerald to the Director of Intelligence, Lieutenant General
Diarmuid O’Hegarty

A chara,

The despatch from Geneva¹ was read at to-day's meeting of the Executive Council. It was decided to send a messenger across to our Representative in Geneva,² to see if steps can be taken to have the woman representative of the Irregulars watched and arrested on her return to England or Ireland.

It was considered likely that she might have with her papers of importance. Our messenger was instructed to endeavour to see the D.I. in London, and to see if it could be arranged would also assist.

[enclosed despatch]³

During the Christmas Holidays a female messenger from the Irish Republicans arrived at Lausanne with despatches from de Valera to the Bolshevik Commissary, Chicherin.

The contents of those despatches were most edifying as they showed without a shadow of doubt that whilst not openly espousing the Bolshevik cause in Ireland the 'Irregulars' were working hard with the Irish Communist Party as witnessed by the destruction of property which their co-operation had brought about during the past six months. This destruction could be intensified during the Winter season were it not for the fact that their financial resources were almost exhausted and the channels through which they had been able to obtain arms in the past were now cut off owing to the vigilance of the Free State's secret police.

'Without material,' said one of the despatches, 'it would be impossible to continue the struggle and failure at the present moment would mean the perpetuation of the Capitalistic Free State Government in Ireland for another generation.' Under those circumstances the 'irregular' leader felt that he could depend on the Moscow Government for a loan of ten thousand pounds in English money as well as for a supply of arms and ammunition which could easily be landed from a schooner of 200 tons burden in a western Irish port. The loan as well as any other debts due to the Soviets would be paid off as soon as the American money which was now the subject of litigation in the States was forthcoming.

Chicherin has transmitted the despatches to Moscow and whilst awaiting a reply the female messenger of de Valera and Co. can be seen disporting herself in the palatial hotel where the Soviet Delegation has its headquarters.