Timothy A. Smiddy to Desmond FitzGerald (Dublin)

My dear Minister:

I have been much occupied since my return in endeavouring to bring up to date arrears of work, in interviews and in attending many official functions. I presume you have read the articles I gave the press on my arrival; they were afforded wide spread publicity throughout the U.S.A. I also gave an interview article to the New York Evening Sun, a copy of which has been sent you.

Extensive publicity was given both in U.S.A. and Canada to the Cablegrams I received with reference to the registration of the Anglo-Irish Treaty by the League of Nations; editorials appeared on the subject in most of the leading papers.

The articles by P.J. Kelly to the New York World are causing much interest here. It is regrettable that they are producing a pessimistic impression. I expect that the New York World will publish within a few days a special article which I have given them. The main point pressed by me in this article and interviews is the constructive work of the Government. I am booked for a number of lectures during the coming three months before some academic and other bodies which will provide a platform for placing a favourable interpretation before the American people on the work of the Government. The demands on my time in Washington compel me to refuse many other invitations to lecture.

Soon after my arrival Mr Frank O'Flannigan called on me in New York. In the course of the conversation he stated that some of the projects of Mr Howard Harrington were not feasible and that the men he got into contact with will not be very helpful. Among these schemes, which are not practical at present, is that of a free port in the South West of the Irish Free State. To any one with a knowledge of shipping and the geographical position in Ireland such an idea is at present mythical. Mr O'Flannigan further stated that he discussed with men such as Mr J.S. Cullinan the practical help that might be given to the successful exploitation of Irish resources by a man like the head engineer of the Panama Canal - Dr Goethals. If I am asked to submit my views on this idea and this man by the Minister of Industry & Commerce¹ I shall do so. The Minister of Industry & Commerce had already discussed with me a somewhat similar idea.

Subsequent to this conversation with Mr O'Flannigan I had a long interview with Mr Howard Harrington. He did not discuss his plan of a 'free port' but he informed me of efforts he was making to induce a Mr Lee (a successful building magnate in N.Y.) to build a few large hotels along the main tourist routes in the Irish Free State. He was not confident that he will succeed in his efforts. He is enthusiastic in his praise of the charms of the County Kerry and of its comparatively dry climate. This is news for me, I wonder if you can endorse it? At all events I must state that he is enthusiastic about Ireland.

Soon after my arrival in New York I left cards on Judge Cohalan and Mr William J. Shiefflein. The latter is a very wealthy man and well known for his civic performances. His house is quite palatial.

I have been entertained by Mr John S. Stewart at the lawyers club N.Y. I met there some very prominent lawyers and Judges who evinced much interest in the Irish Free State: a great number of them are of Irish origin. I have been asked to speak before the Governors of the club this month.

Sir Harry Gloster Armstrong[,] British Consul General[,] entertained to luncheon the Canadian Trade Commissioners, Representatives of the foreign press, the Collector and Assistant Collector of the port of New York; he had me as his guest of honour on the occasion. The speeches of the Canadian Representatives and Sir Harry Gloster Armstrong were very complimentary to the Irish Free State. In a private conversation I had with the Australian Commissioner (Mr Elder) he stated that religious issues were becoming much aggravated in Australia.

After the lunch I was asked to go to meet the senior partner of Mr J.P. Morgan, Mr Lamont. For an hour he discussed the conditions of Ireland especially the financial and economic. He told me that some time ago he met in London Mr Curtis (Colonial Office) and that the latter mentioned to him that one of these days the Irish Free State would borrow in the New York money market. Mr Lamont at the time gave as his opinion that the Irish Free State should and would be able to borrow what it needs for its Governmental and other requirements within the Free State. He said it had the means available for it. In spite of the various unfavourable reports that appear occasionally in the U.S.A. about the financial condition of the Irish Free State its financial administration has impressed Wall Street most favourably and its credit stands high in New York.

I entertained yesterday some prominent correspondents in Washington especially Mr Herbert Correy and Mr John Sinnot; also Admiral and Mrs Clark of the U.S. Navy[,] Mr Joseph Henry Bagley[,] Vice-President of the American Bank Note Company[,] Mr Howe[,] U.S.A. Naval Attaché at Rio.

Mr M.M. Mahoney, Canadian Representative at Washington, lunched with me a week ago. He informed me that he submitted to his Government an estimate of the staff and general requirements of the proposed Canadian Legation at Washington. He suggested a suite of twelve rooms or a small separate building for offices, leaving the Minister free to live where he pleases. The principal officers would be Counsellor, First[,] Second and Third Secretaries. It is proposed Mr Mahoney himself will act as first secretary whose chief function will be to direct the commercial and financial work of the Legation.

However, as far as I can gather there is little likelihood of a Minister being appointed at an early date. There is much difficulty about getting a man to suit the various supporters of Mr MacKenzie King - especially Ontario and Quebec.

A Mr Wattawa and Mr John Walsh lunched with me last Wednesday; they are partners in the firm of Walsh, Spies & Wattawa - lawyers to Mr J.S. Cullinan. Mr F. O'Flannigan was entertained and taken care of by Mr Wattawa while in Washington. The latter has arranged a luncheon at the Capitol next Wednesday at which Senator Thomas Walsh is to meet me. You are doubtless aware that this is the Senator who conducted the onslaught on the Teapot Dome scandals and who was chairman of the Democratic Convention last July.

Yesterday there was the usual New Year's day reception by President and Mrs Coolidge at the White House. The affair was quite imposing; almost all the Diplomatic Corps turned up in brilliant uniforms. Subsequently, Secretary of State and Mrs Hughes were hosts to the members of the Diplomatic Corps at the Pan American Union. The British Embassy made a brilliant display both in numbers and appearance and were accompanied by Lord Robert Cecil.

Mr St. John Gaffney visits the office occasionally. He has just succeeded in getting paid his funds which had been tied up during the war in consequence of his remaining in Germany after America entered the war.