Letter from Seán MacBride to Krishna Menon (London)

My dear Krishna,
Following our conversation during your visit last week, I have sent you by this same post an official communication enquiring whether the Government of India would be willing to undertake the protection of Irish interests in China.¹

As I say in the official Note, our citizens in China are almost all missionaries. I don't know of any Irish citizen there who does not come within this category. Most of the missionaries are Catholic but some of them are Protestants and any information we have indicates that they all live close to, and on good terms with, the local population. The property involved is all of a welfare character - schools, orphanages, hospitals, churches and so on. In short, there is no question of the type of exploiting commercial concern which has done so much to damn European civilisation in Far Eastern eyes.

The missions concerned are fairly widely distributed throughout China. The following will give you an idea of their geographical distribution:-

1. Vincentian Fathers: Peking
2. Society of Saint Columban: Shanghai, Hangyang, Huchow, Nancheng
3. The Franciscans: Suihsien, Anlu
4. The Sisters of Saint Columban: Shanghai, Hanyang, Huchow, Nancheng
5. Church Missionary Society: Fukien, Miench

Prior to the recent advance of the Chinese Communist armies, the total number of Irish citizens in China probably did not exceed 200. The number is a good deal lower now because many of them have left. We are compiling detailed lists at the moment, however, and, if the Indian Government feel able to accede to our request, we would hope to be able to let them have this in due course.

I need not tell you how much moral satisfaction we would derive from having our people in China protected by your great country or how grateful we would be to the Indian Government if they can see their way to accept the charge. We shall indeed be very grateful.

It was a great pleasure to see you last week. I hope it will not be too long before you are able to get over again. They tell me that the plans of the new house which you were anxious to have were sent to you a few days ago.