Joseph P. Walshe to Diarmuid O'Hegarty (Dublin)
(L.N. 1/4/23)

The Secretary,

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

The Extraordinary Assembly of the League of Nations for the admission of Germany to Membership of the League will begin on the 8th March. For nearly two weeks after Germany's request for admission had been sent to the Secretariat, the European press was full of speculation as to the possibility of Poland seeking a permanent seat on the Council as a set off to Germany who was to become a Permanent Member as a matter of course. Claims were also made for permanent membership on behalf of Spain and Brazil. No formal official action has however been taken by these three countries to lay their claims before the League, and it seems now fairly clear that the Assembly will not be asked to discuss any changes in the Constitution of the Council beyond the admission of Germany to a permanent seat. The action of Sweden - an elected member of the Council - in declaring herself definitely opposed at this juncture to the claims of Poland, Spain and Brazil has definitely excluded their case from serious discussion, as no new permanent member can be elected without a unanimous vote. Should any dispute on this matter arise, the Minister, with the approval of the Executive Council, will support those States - probably the majority - which adopt the attitude that the question of the reconstitution of the Council should be postponed to the ordinary General Assembly.

Canada will be represented by Senator Dandurand, the High Commissioner in London, the High Commissioner in Paris and the Canadian Representative at the League.

The Minister considers that the Saorstát should send a delegation to the Extraordinary Assembly and he accordingly requests that an early opportunity of obtaining the sanction of the Executive Council for that purpose may be given to him.¹