Extracts from a letter from Desmond FitzGerald to Mabel FitzGerald¹ (Dublin)

My dear M.[abel]

Again I am writing hurriedly as I may be called off any minute. At this moment I should be down at the League voting. But as it would mean voting for myself I thought better not to go, but Mac² may come along to say that I should be there to shake hands with people. I am to be, I am told, chairman of Second Commission. I don't know anything about it except that it deals with everything that I am least interested in.

[matter omitted]

Blythe, MacNeill, Binchy just back from Dunquin, J. Walshe knows about as much Irish as I do, and so it is the usual language amongst us.

[matter omitted]

It is hard to know how things are going here. The entry of Germany is I think assured. But not only that had been arranged before we came but a lot of other things as well. The Assembly may swallow the whole lot to get Germany in peacefully, or it may kick at some of the other arrangements. One can only wait and see.

[matter omitted]

Of course I have met hundreds of people. Usually I shake hands as though they were long lost brothers and then try to find out from the conversation who they are.

J.[oe] W.[alshe] has just come in to say that I was elected with great éclat and that he said a few words of thanks of my behalf. I have now to go off and get the secretary of the commission who is at my service for the session. He will do everything for me including telling me what to say and when to say it.

I dine with Chamberlain tonight.

[matter omitted]

I have had a talk with the Abyssinians. They are so nice. I was at the Bergues last night with the French - Paul Boncour and others, a crowd of women including Mme. Tabouis.

I have to sprint off now. J.W. is waiting.

[matter omitted]

Hope all well. I write when I can. But J.W. has just shown me the list of invitations that have come in so far and it looks as though with one thing and another this is going to be a pretty full time.