Timothy A. Smiddy to Desmond FitzGerald (Dublin)
(Confidential)

My dear Minister:

I have just learned unofficially at the Metropolitan Club, Washington, that the Department of State has settled the status of the Minister of the Irish Free State with relation to that of the Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary resident in the British Embassy (Mr. Chilton) who will act as Chargé d'Affairs in the absence of the British Ambassador. According to this information the Irish Minister takes precedence of the British Chargé d'Affaires in state functions.

This confirms what has occurred in a recent reception at the White House where I preceded a Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary who was appointed subsequently to me.

As soon as I have official verification of this I shall inform you.

If it is true, and I believe it is, it will furnish a refutation of the article by Sir Maurice Lowe which appeared in the Baltimore Sun of last November, a copy of which you have seen. In fact, Sir Maurice Lowe, in company with Mr. Lansing, former Secretary of State, were present when the above statement was made at the Club.