Extracts from a letter from Joseph P. Walshe to Seán Nunan (Dublin)
(Secret)

I received, on the 3rd May, Dr. Rynne’s letter of the 29th April (419/1/23)¹ concerning the informal request made by Monsignor Quinlan on behalf of the UN Korean Reconstruction Agency. I received a further letter from Dr. Rynne today, dated the 30th April,² giving me information about the contributions already made or being made by us to UN Agencies.

I have the impression, from conversations with him, that Mgr. Quinlan is very much alive to the danger of the Church losing ground in the whole of Asia, if it appears, in any way, to be involved in, or to show sympathy for, American imperialistic enterprises, in that area.

From the beginning of the incident I had let our Vatican friends know my view that President Truman, by attacking the North Koreans, instead of delivering an ultimatum to Moscow, was making a mistake, which would inflame the whole Far East against the Christian West, and, perhaps, delay the Christianizing of those regions for a century.

[matter omitted]

Needless to say, I was delighted to learn of the Minister’s decision to keep clear of the Korean imbroglio. We can have a perfectly clear conscience even where there is question of relief. I have realized, from my experience here, how easily relief can be transformed into a trap for the unwary.

Reflecting on the protocol of the approach to Signor Ugo Theodoli,³ I suggest it would be better that my colleague should take the step. There is no doubt about his right of access, while mine seems extremely shadowy. I am, therefore, giving the two letters to him. He told me he would, of course, be delighted to carry out the instruction.