Timothy A. Smiddy to Desmond FitzGerald (Dublin)
(MP/Sp.140/63/25)

Dear Minister:

May I submit the following suggestions for your and the President's consideration:

The time is now ripe when a visit either from you or the President, or both, or by the Vice-President and you to the United States would be very effective. In fact, few foreign notables would meet with as great a welcome. The advantages of such a visit are many.

Its publicity in favour of the Free State would outweigh the effects of any other kind incurred at much greater cost. Your pronouncements, interviews, etc., while here would occupy a prominent place in all the newspapers throughout the United States. It would be particularly helpful in further emphasizing your achievement in having a Minister Plenipotentiary in Washington, a step the significance of which is not yet fully understood or appreciated even among the Irish in this country.

Again, it would give you a first hand impression of conditions in this country with special reference to the problems of the Irish Free State such as no reports could convey.

Such a visit would be opportune in March when a public reception could be given by the Legation here on the 17th of March to which the diplomatic corps, members of the U.S.A. Cabinet, representative Senators and Congressmen would be invited.

I have no hesitation in saying that you or the President would be more than pleased with the results of your visit. It would expedite exceedingly the realization among all Americans of our real Constitutional status.

I respectfully commend my suggestions to your consideration.