740.00116 E.W./10–1844: Telegram
The Minister in Ireland (Gray) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:48 p.m.]
177. Reference your 199, October 14. Whatever your decision with regard to British views, we would be apprehensive regarding paragraph 3 of your aide-mémoire. We think that this would be interpreted as a threat and exploited as such not only here but in America. De Valera would say this means that if we do not exercise our sovereignty to deny asylum we shall invite unfortunate repercussions from the United Nations. This may mean coercion. This interpretation would force opposition to rally to Government’s support. In America it would probably be represented as another attempt to bluff and intimidate Ireland.
It seems to us that your line of policy with the note regarding Axis missions should be followed here; namely, to establish for the record that a reasonable request for assurances has been refused and to express regret. This leaves De Valera where he least wants to be.
[Page 1442]If the British prefer to read De Valera’s reply in the Commons without other comment than to observe that it would be detrimental to the interest of the Irish people to harbor Axis war criminals, it would seem not to conflict with our policy.
From appraisal of the local situation we should prefer for purely American ends to express no opinion as to the effect of Eire’s course on Irish interest but only to register dissatisfaction and regret. We would suggest the draft of such a memorandum which follows as my next numbered telegram.67 We think such a formula would represent the private views of a number of the opposition leaders and might gain open support for our position. Both threats and promises of reward excite instant opposition with Mr. De Valera.
Repeated to London as number 57.
- Infra. ↩