861.77 Chinese Eastern/669: Telegram
The Minister in the Irish Free State (Sterling) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 12—11 a.m.]
16. In continuation of my 15, December 7, 11 a.m. It was decided in the Executive Council yesterday that the Free State, while entirely sympathetic with the United States suggestion, would send no communication to the Chinese and Soviet Governments, since, in view of Soviet reply, such representations would serve no useful purpose. I gather that this decision is largely influenced by the fact that when the British Foreign Office in negotiating with the Soviet for the resumption of diplomatic relations desired to include Dominion recognition with that of Great Britain, and the Free State and presumably other Dominions objected to this procedure, the Soviet [apparent omission] sided with the Dominion point of view in insisting on separate negotiations. Moreover it is most probable that after the Anglo-Soviet treaty4 is ratified, the Free State will recognize Russia, all of which creates a somewhat delicate situation in the eyes of the Government here.
- For exchange of notes signed at London, December 20 and 21, 1929, see League of Nations Treaty Series, vol. xcix, p. 61. For temporary commercial agreement signed at London, April 16, 1930, see ibid., vol. ci, p. 409.↩