Letter from Conor Cruise O'Brien to Patrick Lynch (Dublin)
enclosing a memorandum on anti-partition policy

Dear Paddy,
I attach a memorandum embodying a proposal for a flag-day for the sale of Anti-Partition postcards for despatch to our sympathisers abroad. Would you please have this put on the agenda for the forthcoming meeting of the All-Party Committee.

[enclosure]

It has come to the notice of the Department of External Affairs both through reports from its Offices and from private contacts, that harm is being done in America by widespread suggestions that the Irish people, as distinct from their political leaders, are indifferent on the Partition issue. The National Collection and the O'Connell Street rally did much to combat this feeling but the effect of these is now felt to be wearing off. A gesture which would indicate unmistakably to our sympathisers in the United States that the ordinary people of Ireland are behind the Anti-Partition Movement, is needed.

It is suggested that the dispatch, by thousands of Irish people to their friends in America, Australia, New Zealand, etc., of a postcard bearing an Anti-Partition message would have a very useful effect, principally as encouraging our sympathisers to go on with their good work but also as, perhaps, rousing people of Irish origin in America who have not yet actively interested themselves in the campaign. It would also, if carried out on a sufficiently impressive scale and properly publicised in the press, have the effect of drawing the attention of the general public. The Department's sources of information confirm that such a demonstration would be of no small value.

In order for the demonstration to be successful it would be necessary for it to be endorsed by the All-Party Committee and to be adequately prepared. The following measures are tentatively suggested:-

1. The All-Party Committee to issue a general appeal to Irish people, north and south, not to forget in their correspondence with the United States to show where they stand on the Partition issue and to encourage their friends and relations in the United States to do what they can to end Partition. This message from the All-Party Committee might contain a statement to the effect that it was intended shortly to put on sale, by means of a 'Flag Day', a special Anti-Partition Card to be addressed to friends abroad. In the meantime, however, the opportunities of ordinary correspondence should not be neglected.
2. The next step might be to announce, perhaps a fortnight in advance, the date of the 'Flag Day'. The date and purpose of the day could be given over the press, and radio and posters could be issued as a standing reminder. The posters could include a replica of the post-card to be sent. If the 'Flag Day' were held early in the New Year the Taoiseach could include a reference to the demonstration in his Christmas broadcast.
3. The 'Flag Day' itself could be organised on the same principle as the National Collection, the price paid for a card to depend on the purchaser.
4. The text of the postcard will, of course, be a matter for careful consideration. If it is sold early in the New Year it is suggested that it should carry on one side a map showing the border and with the figures 1950 in heavy letters cutting across the border. Below could be the query 'How long now?' The other side of the card would be divided in the usual way into address and message parts but across the top would run a statement, of explanation and exhortation on partition. It might run as follows:-

   'Still in 1950 Ireland is partitioned against the will of the great majority of her people; six of her counties are still occupied by British troops. Those who made this evil and artificial division know that it cannot last but how soon it ends depends on us both - your efforts overseas and ours here'.

   This should leave a space for a personal message.

5. It is difficult to say in the absence of previous demonstrations of this sort, how many cards should be printed. The experience of the national collection might be some guide. It should be possible, with the sort of preparation envisaged, to sell at least a hundred thousand.
6. If the demonstration was a success we could follow it up with another for St. Patrick's Day.

   It is of interest in this connection that the Unionist Council intends to issue Christmas Cards. It is suggested that there would be objections on religious grounds to our doing this and that a sort of New Year Card, as outlined above, would be preferable.

   If the scheme as outlined were approved in principle it should be possible for the Secretariat of the Mansion House Committee - which could, if it thought fit, consult with the Information Section of this Department - to work out the final details.