740.00116 E.W./10–2144: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:52 p.m.]
9035. ReDepts 8692, October 19, midnight. We have discussed question of Irish attitude on asylum for war criminals with the Foreign Office and have emphasized the importance attached to the proper handling of this question. We were told that every effort would be made to meet our wishes. We were told further that a question has already been formulated by a member of the House addressed to the Under Secretary of the Dominions Office asking whether any reply has been received from the Government of Eire to representations of the British Government on harboring of criminals of war. The question is to be put on Tuesday October 24.
Foreign Office says it will press Dominions Office to try to have this question withdrawn but as this is the third time that a question in this sense has been drawn up for presentation efforts of Dominions Office and Foreign Office might not be successful. If unsuccessful then Foreign Office will suggest to Dominions Office that the reply be as brief as possible limited, if possible, to “Yes Sir”. If pressed for details then an attempt will be made to meet the questioners by replying that De Valera has expressed his intention of making a further statement and that the Government is waiting for this statement.