Letter from John A. Duff to Frederick H. Boland (Dublin)

I have your letter (A.7) of the 30th ultimo¹ relating to the Athlone internees.

I notice that all the British 'guarantee' amounts to is a statement that so far as the British authorities are aware, there are no charges pending against the internees which would be likely to lead to capital sentences.

My Minister² is not disposed to compel any of these men to return to Germany no matter what form of guarantee is given, and on the strength of the guarantee which has been given, he would not consider deporting them.

The position in regard to the three non-Germans is as follows. Obed appears to have been living on the Continent for over 25 years. He has a business in Antwerp and his wife, a German, is still living there. He is anxious to get back and he has a certificate of good character issued in June last by the Antwerp police. In the circumstances the Minister would not be prepared to send him to India. Weber-Drohl³ has not lived in Austria for many years. He lived in Nuremburg before he came here, and his wife is still there. He is now 67 years of age and in poor health. He is nearly deaf and can walk only with the aid of crutches. The Minister is not prepared to deport him. It is clear that Van Loon would have to face a charge of desertion, if he were sent back to Holland, and in the circumstances the Minister is not prepared to deport him either.

The only one of the internees who is definitely anxious to leave here is Marschner. He is willing to go whether or not he gets a guarantee. Tributh and Gartner would go also, if they got a guarantee of immunity and a guarantee that they would be sent to the American Zone. In view of the nature of the 'guarantee' given, I think we can take it that they will not go voluntarily.

I suggest that Marschner's return should not be delayed any longer. As he is likely to be the only one travelling, I presume that there will be no question of sending him direct by air from here, and I suggest that he should be escorted to the mail boat without delay, the British to be informed of the proposal and notified of the date of his departure.

In the circumstances, I don't think that a talk is necessary, but if you think it is, would you please telephone me.⁴