841E.00/55

The American Minister in Ireland ( Gray ) to the Irish Prime Minister ( de Valera )21

Dear Mr. Prime Minister: I am sending you for your files my memorandum22 of our discussion regarding publicity accorded the agitation for reprieve of the six Belfast young men convicted of shooting a policeman.

Those of us who like yourself have attempted and are attempting by diplomatic means to procure a measure of clemency for these young men find ourselves embarrassed by the pressure exerted here upon the Northern Government. As you know, governments, especially in war time, do not like to be coerced and fear that clemency exercised under pressure will be interpreted as weakness.

I am afraid that if we fail, the originators of the pressure campaign will have a heavy responsibility. I appreciate your sincere desire to keep this agitation within reasonable bounds and your considerable success in this direction, but repeat what I said in our recent talk—that, except for yourself and a few others, Ireland does not seem to appreciate what the war means, the gravity of the situation and the danger of rocking the boat at such a time.

Yours sincerely,

David Gray
  1. Copy transmitted to the Department by the Minister in Ireland in his despatch No. 465, September 3, 1942, not printed.
  2. Not printed.