Letter from Joseph P. Walshe to Count Gerald O'Kelly de Gallagh (Brussels)
(224/138) (Copy)

A Chara,

With reference to your letters concerning the Memorial Celebrations, the Minister thinks that the greatest caution should be exercised in dealing with the matter. We should do nothing until formally requested to do so.

Your attitude must be governed by this fundamental consideration that the British Ambassador is the Diplomatic Representative of all the Commonwealth Nations until such time as diplomatic representatives are formally appointed by them. According to present policy, there does not appear to be any objection from the British side to such appointments. It would therefore be better to avoid making further endeavours to establish a diplomatic position by precedents. There is no longer any need for indirect methods and they cause unnecessary irritation.

With regard to the actual celebrations, unless we could control them to the extent of making them thoroughly Irish in character, our intervention would only result in our getting any blame that was to be distributed.

Unless you are asked to be present or to give assistance by the responsible authorities (the Hickie committee here) it is difficult to see what advantage could be gained by any action on your part.