William J.B. Macaulay to Desmond FitzGerald (Dublin)
(M/Sp.145/2/25)

Philadelphia Exposition.

A Chara:

With reference to Mr. Lester's letter of 28th August (457/313) I am directed by the Minister Plenipotentiary to state it appears that this Exposition is of some importance, but whether an immediate return to the exhibitors would follow depends almost entirely on whether they have already exhausted the potential market for their goods in this country; that is to say, whether the present demand is met and whether an increased demand could be supplied.

The Minister considers that possibly the installation of a small tourist bureau in some kind of a small kiosk building might be favourably considered and if this were well fitted out and supplied with a large quantity of attractive booklets, photographs and if possible kinematograph films of Irish beauty spots or other features of Ireland or Irish life, considerable interest would be created and the tourist industry would undoubtedly benefit. This is perhaps a matter for the Tourist Development Association but in view of the terms of your letter and the views of the Department of Industry and Commerce it appears it would be the only form in which the Saorstát could be a participant, either officially or unofficially.

Mr. Crawford has suggested that the Irish Army Band might be sent to Philadelphia but in the Minister's view this is an idea which is open to serious criticism and His Excellency does not consider it likely that this idea is practicable from the point of view of the Army authorities, in which case it is hardly necessary to discuss the proposition from its American aspect.