841D.01/361a
Memorandum by the Secretary of State to President Roosevelt
In my memorandum of March 24, 1 transmitted for your approval a copy of a further note49 which I proposed to send to Prime Minister [Page 257] de Valera in regard to the continued presence of Axis representatives in Ireland. Following your approval, we submitted the text of this proposed note to Mr. David Gray for his opinion and to Ambassador Winant for his opinion and for the views of the British Government.
Both Mr. Gray and Mr. Winant have recommended that a further note should not be sent. Mr. Winant has also reported that he has discussed this matter with Prime Minister Churchill and with Lord Cranborne, who was acting as Foreign Secretary during Eden’s absence. Cranborne opposed sending a second note and is supported in this view by British security officials. Prime Minister Churchill has told Mr. Winant that he thinks our first note has done great good and has prompted the Irish authorities to strengthen security measures, but he felt that a second note was not necessary and that it would be best to leave well enough alone.
In view of the attitude of the British Government and of the recommendations of Mr. Gray and Mr. Winant, the Department has decided that it would not be advisable to proceed with the further note. You will also have noted the recent announcement of Mr. de Valera’s decision to call a general election on May 30. This development, even aside from other considerations, would appear to make the sending of a further note definitely undesirable. I propose, therefore, to let this matter rest, at least for the time being. Meanwhile, however, we are following all aspects of the Irish situation, particularly as it relates to the security of our military operations.