Extract from a letter from Joseph P. Walshe to Seán Murphy (Vichy)

[matter omitted]

We are still somewhat mystified at some aspects of our relations with the French Government. When M. Lalouette arrived here three months ago, he told me that the French Government would prefer that the heads of the neutral missions who had been in Vichy should be changed. I explained to him that we would consider such a suggestion as most unreasonable. It could only be regarded as a somewhat unfriendly gesture directed against the Government rather than the representative of the neutral country concerned. So far as we were concerned, we did not intend to play politics with France. For us the Government de factoem> was the Government de jure, and the moment the Pétain Government had disappeared, we automatically entered into relations with the new Government. In this country we immediately resumed recognition of M. de Laforcade as French Minister and representative in the full sense of the new Government and of France. I made it clear to M. Lalouette that we were doing that because it was the natural thing for us to do and because of our relations and unfailing friendship with France, a country with which we never had a moment's quarrel. We should, therefore, be very disappointed indeed if the French Government contemplated making a request of us to change the head of our mission, and I hoped he would explain to his Government that, in our view, nobody could represent Ireland in France better than the present occupant of the post, nor could we find anybody more fitted to promote the mutual interests and friendship between the two countries in the new era. We were also very anxious to demonstrate to the new French Government that our interest in France was based on friendship and not on politics by instructing you to return at once to Paris and to resume your former duties there.

We understand fully that the French Government should wish to forget all about Vichy as quickly as possible, and for that reason the sooner you are able to get back to Paris the better for our good relations. While not wishing in any way to hurry you unnecessarily, we shall be very glad to hear very soon that you are at least partially installed in Paris. Meanwhile, you should make it as clear as possible to the Quai d'Orsay that, so far as the Irish Government are concerned, you are in the fullest sense the Irish Minister to France and that your being so constitutes ipso facto complete recognition by us of the French Government.

While I am reasonably certain that there will be no question of the French Government not granting you immediate and complete recognition as the Irish Minister to France (and, therefore to the present Government), it is as well to let you know that, in such a disagreeable eventuality, we shall feel obliged to our very great regret to withdraw our recognition from M. de Laforcade, a recognition which was granted by us on the hypothesis that there would be no question about an equal recognition of your position on the other side.

It is well also that you should know, for the purpose of your conversations with the Quai d'Orsay, that M. de Laforcade, while délégué of the then National Liberation Committee, was allowed to retain all the immunities and privileges which he had had before his adhesion to the Committee.

From the contents of this letter you will appreciate how urgent your return to Paris has become. While we feel that the French Government would not contemplate doing anything which, in our particular case as a small country, would be regarded as unfriendly, we nevertheless realise that your presence in Paris is necessary so that the situation may be fully explained and cleared up with all possible speed.

I am sure the Quai d'Orsay would be kind enough, until normal communications are resumed, to put your despatches in Monsieur Massigli's¹ bag.

With all good wishes, assuring you of our sympathy in the difficult times you have been through and our admiration for the manner in which you have overcome them.