Extract from a letter from Thomas J. Kiernan to Seán Nunan (Dublin)
(D/64)

Dr. Subardjo,¹ Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, stayed a few days in Canberra on his way back from signing the Japanese Peace Treaty at San Francisco. He and his party of six were guests of the Australian Government.

Dr. Subardjo said to me that Ireland had been an inspiration to his people in achieving their independence; and that one of his favourite books was a history of the Invincibles.² He said that a trade mission is coming next month to Canberra to negotiate a trade agreement with Australia and asked if we had no exports suitable for the Indonesian market. He instanced bicycles, for which there is a big demand.

The head of the foreign section of the Indonesian Ministry of Commerce said that Terence MacSwiney’s death had created a profound impression amongst Indonesians who at that time saw no way of gaining independence from such a strong power as Holland; and that the name of MacSwiney is widely-known amongst the literate people of Indonesia.

[matter omitted]