740.0011 Pacific War/757: Telegram
The Minister in Ireland (Gray) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:02 p.m.]
132. Indications are that Irish majority sympathies are strongly with us against Japan. I called on External Affairs and had a very friendly reception as regards our war participation. I advanced the suggestion that Irish extremist elements in America opposed to American defense and support for Britain would henceforth exert little influence and that we might look forward to a more sympathetic understanding between our two Governments; that without any instructions from you I would be glad on my own responsibility to explore again the question of arms for Eire in the hope that some common ground might be found for proposals that I could forward to you. I [apparent omission] however the probabilities that the difficulty of supplying armament was likely to be much enhanced by our entry into war.
During the last month there have been indications of a growing realization of the realities on the part of both Irish Government and people and a definite improvement of attitude toward America. I believe this should be followed up always of [on?] the basis that Ireland needs us more than we need Ireland.