Personal code telegram from Robert Brennan to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)
(No. 434)

Bishop Hurley, Florida, called on me. He strongly supports Administration policy and thinks that all the Irish here should do likewise so as to preserve tremendous influence which the Irish, and consequently the Catholics, have in United States. He said that this might have ultimate bearing at the Peace Conference in ending the partition of Ireland which he deplored. He conceded Ireland's right to decide her own policy.

I asked him whether he would drop a word in the right quarter which might prevent United States making the mistake of sending forces into the Six Counties. He said it would be useless, because Administration were already thinking in terms of situation leading to all-out war, and anything that was done would be solely in accordance with needs of British strategy.

I pointed out the danger of jeopardising traditional friendship between two peoples. His reply was that these considerations are forgotten when military strategy dictates otherwise.