Dearg code telegram from John J. Hearne to the Department of External Affairs (Dublin)
(No. 339)

From Ambassador. Your Tel 334.¹ Had deferred interview with Perkins and Jackson State Department on Korean situation this afternoon. Perkins prefaced his appraisal of situation by saying United States Government is not sure as to whether Communist or Politburo are now directing Soviet Foreign policy. The attack on Southern Korea was apparently decided on as a calculated risk under guise of civil war in Korea. The United States had got out of Southern Korea last year. The attitude of Congress to aid to Korea bill, first defeated as an [group indecipherable] gesture by Congress against loss China to Communists, and afterwards passed, led to belief by Soviet that United States was not seriously thinking of holding Southern Korea. Northern Korean troops now at peak of strength and afterwards can those training. Southern Korean Army not yet fully armed. With United States seemingly looking the other way now was time to strike. That Perkins thought was explanation of decision to strike now. He does not believe Korean affair is commencement of World War III. But he qualified that by saying one could never be sure as Soviet psychology is inscrutable. One thing appeared certain. The Russians did not expect United States to react so sharply and promptly. They had reason to believe President Truman's forthright stand came as a surprise to Moscow. The President felt he had no other course open to him. He was convinced time had come to stop piecemeal conquests and that situation in Europe in late thirties, Austria, Czechoslovakia etc. should not be allowed to be repeated. Mr. Perkins repeated that their best judgment was that Korea is not commencement of World War III and that President's stand was best guarantee of World Peace now.