Despatch from Patrick McGilligan to L.S. Amery (London)
(D.5648B) (Secret) (Copy)

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to your Secret telegram of the 19th May (Circular B.54) regarding the proposed Multilateral Treaty for the Renunciation of War.

2. His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State have had under consideration your suggestion that it will be necessary to embody in some form of contemporaneous agreement the understandings upon which the Treaty is signed, and, in particular, the inference that such an agreement should contain a reservation to the effect that Members of the Commonwealth retain liberty to come actively to the assistance of another member in the event of emergency.

3. Whatever may be said for an agreement regarding such commitments as may be involved in the Covenant of the League of Nations, and His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State are of opinion that such commitments are not affected by the revised draft treaty, they consider that any reference to the inter se position in the British Commonwealth of Nations is unnecessary and undesirable. His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State have received your Secret Despatch of the 25th June enclosing a copy of a telegram dated 7th June to His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa which, in part, bears upon this point. There is nothing, however, in the relevant paragraphs to cause His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State to alter their opinion.