Letter from Frederick H. Boland to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)
(Secret and Personal)

Secretary

1. You may like to have for reference the enclosed typed copy of your report on the conversations you had in London on your way over.¹
2. We received from Maffey and Gray at the end of last week formal notes simply setting out the text of the Allied Control Council's resolution on the repatriation of German officials and agents abroad, together with their families. I enclose a copy of the resolution for your information.² After consultation with the Taoiseach, we formally acknowledged both notes. No request was made in the Notes other than that implied in the text of the resolution itself. Although I don't expect you will have any opportunity of doing anything about it while you are in London, you may like to know that this matter is in the offing. We hope that the British will not be so foolish as to try to re-open the question which has already been thoroughly thrashed out and settled in a manner not unsatisfactory from their point of view. An official request could only evoke one reply. Incidentally, six of the eight missing internees have now been re-captured and steps are being taken to repatriate them.
3. We have had Major Churchill³ here for the last five or six days. I think his interview with the Taoiseach was mutually satisfactory. You may be interested to see the enclosed note I made of the conversation I had with him.⁴
4. I don't think there is any other matter with which I need trouble you. I showed Seán Leydon a copy of your report of the conversations you had in London. Dulanty sent us last week a report of a conversation he had with Dr. Evatt,⁵ which bears out your fear as to whether the old man will be able to hold his own against the Janissaries. You should get Dulanty to show you a copy of the report, which is very interesting on one or two other points as well.
5. The Taoiseach is genuinely troubled about the hostility you found in certain quarters. He feels that we may have to have major negotiations in the near future, particularly in the economic and financial fields, and that if the hostility is allowed to last, it may be costly to us. He feels that the man I mentioned in my last telegram is slow at sensing atmospheres and getting after them.⁶ Would it not be a good way to tackle the problem to try to get some of the people concerned over here for a fairly longish visit of, say, a week or so? I reminded J.W.D. of the desirability of trying to get John Parker⁷ to the parties you will be having during the talks. He will have the job of answering in the House of Commons.