Letter from Eamon de Valera to Robert Brennan (Washington)

Dear Bob,

International Aviation Conference

As you will realise, the Government attaches the greatest importance to this Conference. You are the member of our delegation with the longest political experience and most likely therefore to react should there be national political implications in any proposal put forward for adoption by the Conference. I look to you to be on the watch to safeguard our political independence at all points, and, particularly, whenever there may seem to be a conflict between considerations of a national political character and those of a more immediate economic or material nature. Were you not one who had been through the national struggle I would deem it necessary to expand this considerably, but with your record and experience I know that what I have said is sufficient.

As between the United States and Britain, where their interests seem to clash and where our interests do not seem immediately to be involved, in determining your attitude please bear in mind

(a) that territorially and culturally we belong rather to Europe than to the countries of the Western hemisphere;

(b) that at the same time we wish to maintain our position of traditional friend- ship with the United States, which friendship as you know has always had an important bearing on Britain's attitude towards us;

(c) that agreements with Britain, if Britain desires them (and if she doesn't she is not likely to make them) can be negotiated easily, whereas special agreements involving the United States may be possible for us only on occasions such as that afforded by this Conference.

As regards the Shannon Airport, my own view at the present time is that we ought to try if possible to keep it a port open to all the nations rather than one restricted for the use of special Powers. We have on the other hand, of course, to take care lest seeking to have it open to all it may be used by none.

I hope Mrs. Brennan and the family are all keeping in good health. I am sorry your period of exile has had to be so extended; but it has been a source of great relief to me personally to know that our national interests over there at this critical time have been in such experienced hands

P.S. You will of course read this letter subject to the general directives given to the delegation by the Government.¹