841D.24/14a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy)
1159. The Irish Minister in Washington has been instructed by his Government to purchase with the least possible delay a large quantity of arms of various types including rifles, artillery, armored cars and aircraft. If these arms are purchased without special assistance from and special action by this Government it will be many months before they could be delivered. Delivery could be greatly expedited if this Government were to arrange for priority for the Irish purchases. Please ascertain and report to the Department the attitude of the British Government in regard to possible efforts on the part of this Government to facilitate and expedite the purchase and delivery of these arms.