Handwritten memorandum by Joseph P. Walshe concerning Charles Bewley

I spoke to Sir J. Maffey B. Representative about Bewley's case. I explained that making too much of this man's part in the German Drama would not only be ridiculous but would probably provoke a lot of anti-British comment here. Bewley was an ass – but only an ass. He wasn't a criminal – least of all a dangerous criminal. It was notorious that he was a complete coward and would not risk his skin for any cause or nation. The British had to remember also that in blackening B. they would involve, in a sense, the good name of nearly all the Quaker families in this country to whom he was related by blood – and who were both good citizens of this country and well affected towards Britain.

The best punishment for Bewley would be to show him how unimportant he was, to release him with a kick in the pants, and let him make his way back to Ireland.