Letter from Joseph P. Walshe to Colman O'Donovan (Lisbon)
(Confidential)

Looking back over your reports, I see that you ask for an instruction in reply to your account (18th January)¹ of your conversation with the Brazilian Ambassador. I am afraid it would be some time before representation in Brazil can become a practicable proposition. Australia, South Africa, the Argentine, and possibly New Zealand and Russia, would take precedence of Brazil. In that country there are few Irish people, and, notwithstanding the Ambassador 's 50 millions (most of whom are Indians), Brazil is very far from being as developed as the Argentine.

Of course, it is possible that we shall have a more developed trade with Brazil after the war, and it may be necessary in the course of time to appoint a Consul there. But that will be all.